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The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday issued show cause notices to senior journalist Ansar Abbasi, former Gilgit-Baltistan chief justice Rana Mohammad Shamim Ahmed Khan and two others over a report of ‘investigation published in The News which shed light on an accusation against former Pakistani justice chief Mian Saqib Nisar of colluding to deny bail of PML-N senior leadership ahead of general elections from 2018.
The court also ordered the respondents to submit their responses within seven days and adjourned the hearing to November 26. The others include The News editor-in-chief Mir Shakilur Rehman and newspaper editor Amir Ghauri.
A day earlier, IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah, under the contempt of court order, took note of the report, which claimed that in 2018, Nisar influenced court proceedings to extend the detention of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his daughter Maryam Nawaz after their conviction. in the Avenfield apartments reference. The allegations were made by Rana Shamim.
Shamim was not present at today’s session chaired by IHC CJ. During the hearing, Shamim’s son told the court that the ex-judge had arrived in Islamabad the night before and was feeling bad. He also asked for permission to show a video in the courtroom and to bring a laptop computer into the courtroom. However, the request was denied.
At the start of the hearing, Chief Justice IHC said it was necessary to restore citizens’ confidence in the judiciary.
“There is a difference between social media and traditional media,” he noted, adding that a newspaper follows a definite editorial policy while social media does not.
Speaking to Rehman, Judge Minallah said a former judge received notice from the court due to an article in the newspaper he publishes.
The IHC Chief Justice said he has full confidence in his judges. “This case wouldn’t exist if I didn’t trust them. Every judge in this court has maintained the public trust.”
He said the judges were also responsible and noted that it was a citizen’s right to criticize them.
Judge Minallah grills Abbasi
He also asked if a newspaper’s editorial policy allowed him to publish an article on its front page that cited an affidavit filed in London, and asked Abbasi to read the title of the article aloud.
The story in question was titled “Ex-CJ GB Claims in Signed Affidavit:” Saqib Nisar Ordered Not to Release Nawaz, Maryam Before 2018 Election “”.
“This affidavit is not part of any court record. Where was this notarized? Asked Judge Minallah, adding that it concerned the credibility of higher courts.
It is relevant to mention here that the affidavit in question was notarized by Charles D. Guthrie, a lawyer based in London. A day earlier, when contacted for comment, Guthrie told Dawn.com he couldn’t comment on the document.
On July 6, 2018, a court of accounts sentenced Nawaz, Maryam and her son-in-law Mohammad Safdar to 10 years, seven years and 1 year in prison, respectively, after finding them guilty in connection with the dismissal on the Avenfield properties. . They were then arrested when they arrived in Lahore from London on July 13.
The verdict came days before the 2018 general election, which was held on July 25, later in the month. Subsequently, all three appealed against the verdict, the IHC suspending their sentences and ordering their release on September 19, 2018 until the final judgment.
Nawaz was then sentenced to seven years in prison in another case – reference to Al-Azizia Steel Mills / Hill Metal Establishment – on December 24, 2018. The former prime minister spent nearly 11 months in prison, before d ” be allowed to travel to London for medical reasons. for four weeks. He hasn’t returned since.
Meanwhile, attacking the senior reporter, the IHC chief justice asked if he had checked the date of the court order against Maryam and Nawaz. “You are an expert in investigation, have you investigated yourself? “
He also asked Abbasi if he had checked who was on the bench investigating cases against PML-N leaders, adding that he and Judge Aamer Farooq were overseas when the appeal was filed. and that the case has been set for hearing.
“Judge Mohsin Akhtar Kayani and Judge Miangul Hassan were present in the country at that time. Did you inquire about this with the Registrar of the High Court?
He observed that notorious lawyers were part of the case against the leaders of the PML-N. “Did you ask them if they had asked for a date before the general election? “
He said that Khawaja Haris was the claimant at the time. “Did you check with him to see if the court heard the case? “
He pointed out that “scandals” were perpetuated to destroy people’s trust in the country’s institutions.
“If another judge spoke like this in front of me, I would get in touch with the Superior Council of the Judiciary,” he said.
“A person witnesses the CJP asking someone to commit a crime. The person remains silent for three years and an affidavit regarding the incident surfaces. How can a newspaper publish such a document?” He asked.
When Abbasi asked for permission to speak in court, the IHC Chief Justice replied “you’ve done enough damage already.”
“It was I who told the story, you can take action against me,” the senior reporter said, adding that he did so in order to protect the sanctity of the court.
“A former UK judge is making an allegation against a former CJP. Take action against me but also investigate,” Abbasi said.
During the hearing, Shamim’s lawyer also asked the IHC Chief Justice if the court would take note of the statements made by Water Resources Minister Faisal Vawda. According to news reports, the minister said the former judge should be hanged and flogged in public for leveling the allegations against Nisar.
However, the court refused to include her in the case and asked Shamim’s lawyer to file a separate appeal.
PML-N cries scandal
After the story was published, the PML-N cried foul and called it a “claim” for Maryam and Nawaz.
PML-N chairman Shehbaz Sharif said the “explosive” report was further justification for Nawaz and Maryam in the “court of public opinion”. The report took off a “thick layer of a large plan being used to target” the PML-N leader and his daughter, he said.
Speaking alongside another PML-N leader, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi also demanded that a suo motu opinion be taken on this matter and asked: “If Mian Nawaz Sharif can go to jail, why Mian Saqib Nisar can’t he?
“If Rana Shamim lies, he should be punished severely, but if he is telling the truth, then Judge Saqib Nisar’s place is in prison,” Abbasi said at the press conference.
However, the government rejected the opposition’s claims and Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry said that instead of “fabricating stupid stories and conspiracy theories” Nawaz should let the people know about the source. money used to buy the Avenfield apartments.
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