IHC directs former GB CJ to document reply on his affidavit inside 5 days

A few weeks earlier, Shamim had alleged in a notarised affidavit that then CJP Saqib Nisar had directed a excessive courtroom choose to not launch Nawaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz on bail at any value earlier than the 2018 Normal Elections.

The allegations have been printed in a report in The Information following which the IHC had taken discover of it and directed the ex-judge to submit his response.

Presiding over the listening to, Justice Athar Minallah mentioned the judiciary’s freedom was depending on the liberty of the press. “Nonetheless, there are some duties that include the liberty of the press,” he famous.

The IHC chief justice then summoned Rana Shamim to the podium and requested whether or not he had submitted a written response to the courtroom relating to the case.

“My lawyer will let you know why I didn’t submit a written response,” replied Rana Shamim. “My brother’s chehlum can be held in just a few days. Please maintain a listening to of the case after that,” he requested.

Justice Minallah informed Shamim that he submitted an affidavit over an incident that allegedly occurred three years in the past. “A newspaper carried the main points of the affidavit for the general public [to read],” famous the IHC CJ.

“I used to be contacted after my affidavit was printed. I confirmed it,” responded the previous choose. “The affidavit was sealed, I do not know the way it bought leaked,” he added.

“Did you not present the affidavit to him [the reporter]?” requested Justice Minallah.

“No, I didn’t submit the affidavit for publication,” replied the ex-judge.

Justice Minallah requested Shamim why did he submit the affidavit in London. “The courtroom is granting you 5 days to submit your written response. You’ll have to inform us why you submitted an affidavit after a niche of three years,” mentioned Justice Minallah.

The IHC chief justice informed Shamim that he has tried to shake the general public’s confidence within the judiciary, instructing the previous choose to say no matter he needed to within the written response.

“My brother and sister-in-law’s chehlums can be held on December 5 and 12 respectively,” Shamim informed the IHC chief justice. “Please maintain the listening to after that.”

The attorney-general requested the courtroom to delay motion towards the media, saying that its position was secondary on this case. He urged the courtroom to direct Rana Shamim to current his written response with the unique affidavit in courtroom.

At this, Shamim mentioned he doesn’t know which affidavit was reported by the media. “Let me take a look on the affidavit that was printed,” he mentioned.

“The one that submitted the affidavit is unaware of its contents,” responded the attorney-general. “If he doesn’t know, then who helped put together the affidavit?”

At this, the IHC chief justice directed Rana Shamim to submit his written response with the unique affidavit on the following listening to.

“This must be on-record that he [Rana Shamim] doesn’t know what’s written within the affidavit,” said the attorney-general. “The affidavit was submitted on November 10 and at this time, he says he doesn’t know what’s written in it.”

Justice Minallah requested the previous choose to additionally submit a written response to the show-cause discover despatched to him by the excessive courtroom.

“I don’t consider in contempt of courtroom,” careworn Justice Minallah. “Judges ought to face criticism. Nonetheless, please chorus from maligning this excessive courtroom for the sake of political narratives,” he added.

The IHC adjourned proceedings of the case until December 7.