ISLAMABAD
Islamabad High Court (IHC) has indicted Rana Shamim former chief judge of Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) in contempt of court case.
The proceedings of contempt of court against Jang Group was deferred.
Rana Shamim accepted some contents of contempt of court and denied some contents.
Rana Shamim, Mir Shakil ur Rehman, Ansar Abbasi and others appeared in the court
The Chief Justice (CJ) IHC remarked a narrative has been made and IHC has been made focus. This court believes in open accountability. If accountability is not held then there will be no improvement.
Which order has been issued from July 2018 todate on which this narrative fits. This media report has nothing to do with Saqin Nisar or some one else and it is only related to IHC. Should this court sit silent and wait for trust ending on it.
Afzal Butt told the court if court gives us opportunity and we make such procedure that things like thIs should not recur.
CJ IHC remarked “ we gave too much chance to the newspaper. But they have no repentance over it. This court cannot give license that some client denigrates it . This court has been too much denigrated. Has some one any problem with this court.
Narrative is being made by making this court focus. Let us run the proceedings of this case ahead by respecting this court. What type of narrative it is that judges of this court are compromised.
Attorney General (AG) Khalid Javed Khan told the court for the first time repentance has been expressed by the media today. Rana Sahb is accepting his affidavit. He should be given opportunity of fair trial. If Rana Sahb wants some one else prosecutor then he can.
AG told the court people are used too. But media will get opportunity to learn from it.
The court remarked if some one tells there was such mistake in this court since 2018. We accept it media role is secondary and their role is not basic role. It is our fault we did not care for sub-judice rule. Such a larger newspaper is saying we did not seek legal opinion. We did not think about its consequences.
It was not considered what would be its impact on case after two days. If no change has come in their opinion then let the court take ahead its proceedings.
PFUJ President Nasir Zaidi told the court we ignore certain things about court’s reporting and accept certain things. We faced military courts and confronted them.
Nasir Zaidi said editorial or report can commit mistake. But contempt of court proceedings should not be initiated . If court initiates contempt of court proceedings then no good message will go to the world. The expression of freedom is already being choked in the country. If contempt of court proceedings takes place then it will create much difficulty.
The court remarked “ in the past people kept on playing in the hands of people. Our fault is this we did not pay attention towards it. This impression was given only this is the court where compromises can be made.
The AG said to the court “ it is my humble request that charge be framed to the extent of Rana Shamim and charge be postponed regarding others.
The court while again addressing Nasir Zaidi remarked “ Zaidi Sahb has not told how the lashing strikes
AG said “ I will tell you after asking from my father. My mother too had spent days in jail.
The amicus curiae Faisal Siddiqui advocate told the court journalist leaders expressed their repentance. The accused persons should also express repentance. This should not be done so that the journalists are not indicted and Rana Shamim is indicted. . Either the indictment be deferred against all or all should be indicted. The way the reporting of this case is being carried out it runs contrary to Sub judice rule too.
The court remarked if it is proved that they have done so deliberately then its consequences are dire.
The amicus curiae told the court against which the proceedings were running it has published statements of world organizations. It has been said the inquiry into affidavit be got conducted.
Rana Shamim prayed the court he should not be indicted today. I have been appearing before this court. I have full trust on this court.
The court while rejecting Rana Shamim plea indicted him.
The court asked from Rana Shamim have you heard charge and you accept it.
Rana Shamim said some things are acceptable and some things are not acceptable.
Rana Shamim said has the charge been framed against me only.
The court remarked we see others. File your written reply and affidavit.
Rana Shamim said if the court has thought so then award punishment to me today. Injustice like this should not be done with me. I come from Karachi every week.
The court remarked you will have to come now you have been indicted.
The court adjourned the hearing of the case till February 15.
