ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) today indicted ex-chief justice of Gilgit-Baltistan Rana Shamim for allegations he levelled against former chief justice of Pakistan Saqib Nisar in a signed affidavit in London which was leaked to a media group. IHC, however, did not indict the journalist, editor and chief editor of the media group which published the content of the affidavit.
IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah has deferred indictment against the journalists after Attorney-General of Pakistan (AGP) Khalid Jawed Khan and an amicus curiae of the court requested for it.
The AGP, amicus curiae Reema Omer, Nasir Zaidi, Faisal Siddiqui, The News’ Editor Investigations Ansar Abbasi, and the publication’s editor-in-chief were present during the hearing.
The contempt of court case pertains to the publication of an affidavit containing serious allegations that ex-chief justice of Pakistan Saqib Nisar attempted to influence a case against former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and his daughter, Maryam Nawaz.
The IHC CJ Athar Minallah said Rana Shamim’s affidavit was recorded in London and despite the ex-judge admitting that the document could have been leaked, he did not take action against The News’ investigative journalist Ansar Abbasi and the notary office in Britain’s capital.
“You tried to scandalise the court and now that the charges have been framed against you in open court, what do you have to say?” the IHC CJ asked Shamim.
At this, the ex-judge asked Justice Minallah to hand him a copy of the document, which included the charges against him.
“Do you accept the charges or not,” asked IHC CJ, to which Shamim said he accepted some charges and disagreed with some others.
Justice Minallah told the ex-chief judge that he could submit in writing if he wanted to defend himself. Responding to the IHC CJ, Shamim said: “If you have decided, then announce, punish me today, hang me if you want; why are you singling me out.”
