Several retired Supreme Court judges have opined that former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's deportation on Monday amounted to contempt of court and proceedings could be initiated against those who ordered the deportation.

The "illegal step" by the government has tarnished the apex court's sanctity, according to retired Justice Tariq Mahmood. "It appears there is no law and order in Pakistan as SC verdicts are being flouted. The government has disappointed the nation,'' said Mahmood.

Also terming it contempt of court, retired Justice Fakharunisa Khokhar said if there was any case against Nawaz Sharif, he should have been tried in the court. ''Pakistani laws are above every pact. The Saudi government has nothing to do with Pakistan's internal matters,'' she said.

Retired Justice Zahid Hussain Bukhari said that the re-exile was a violation of the SC verdict and it was also against Articles 15 to 19 of the Constitution.

However, retired attorney general Justice Malik Qayyum sought to justify the government's step, saying that whatever the government did with Nawaz Sharif was ''according to the law''.

Qayyum said the government obeyed the apex court's order by letting Nawaz Sharif land in the country without restrictions, adding that the government had not committed any contempt under Article 204 of the Constitution.