ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) today issued show-cause notices to all parties during the hearing of a case pertaining to the allegations levelled by ex-chief justice of GB against ex-CJP Saqib Nisar. The court directed the concerned parties to submit their reply in seven days and adjourned the hearing of the case for 10 days.
The IHC had summoned Rana Shamim, editor-in-chief of The News, editor of the newspaper and journalist Ansar Abbasi today (Nov 16). However, Rana Shamin, who is in London, could not appear before the court, but his son represented him in the hearing.
Meanwhile, Aamir Ghauri, the editor of Jang Group and editor of The News, appeared in court with The News editor investigation Ansar Abbasi.
Attorney-General Khalid Javed Khan and Islamabad Advocate-General Niazullah Niazi were also present in court.
According to a report published in The News, then CJP Saqib Nisar had directed a high court judge not to release Nawaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz on bail at any cost before the 2018 General Elections.
“Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz Sharif must remain in jail until the general elections are over. On assurances from the other side, he (Saqib Nisar) became calm and happily demanded another cup of tea,” this is what was said in the affidavit of the former top judge of GB talking about the then chief justice of Pakistan.
During the hearing, apologising for his father’s absence, Shamim’s son asked the court staff for permission to play a video in the courtroom, but it was denied.
Shamim’s lawyer appeared in court on his behalf and was questioned over the former GB chief justice’s absence.
The lawyer informed the court that Shamim wasn’t feeling well as he had arrived last night from Arifwala. He said Shamim’s brother had passed away.
During the hearing, he requested IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah to issue another notice against Faisal Vawda as he had passed irrelevant statements against Shamim.
The IHC chief justice replied to the request by saying that they can file a separate petition in this regard and that this shouldn’t be mixed with this case.
‘Timing of affidavit important’
The attorney-general was asked what would be the result if Shamim’s affidavit proves to be false.
The attorney-general highlighted the importance of timing in this matter.
“Shamim’s brother died on November 6 and he went to London and took the oath on November 10,” he said, adding that that the timing of the affidavit is very important.
