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ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has summoned former Gilgit-Baltistan chief judge Rana Shamim editor-in-chief of a national daily Amir Ghauri and investigative reporter Ansar Abbasi on January 20 for indictment in the contempt of court case.
IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah issued written order of hearing of the case which took place on January 7. The written order stated that the opinion of the reporter, editor and chief editor is important as they say that they have done nothing wrong but it appears that they are unaware of the rules of pending cases.
IHC CJ Athar Minallah said that the alleged contempt of court accused have been given sufficient time but it seems that they are unaware of their responsibilities about cases that are under trial. The order stated that opinions of organisations are being published about a subjudice contempt of court case.
In the order, Justice Minallah observed: “The liberty and independence of the press is of utmost importance, because it guarantees the independence of judiciary and ensures enforcement of other fundamental rights. But as noted it is not absolute and definitely does not license a journalist or publishers of widely circulated newspaper to prejudice sub judice proceedings and obstruct or interfere with the administration of justice.”
Also, the order mentioned that counsel for the ex-chief judge, Latif Afridi, could not persuade the court for not framing charges against the alleged contemnors.
“Regrettably, despite giving reasonable opportunity to the alleged contemnors, they have unequivocally stated that no wrong has been committed by them. The case of the reporter, editor and editor in chief is of more significance, because if their stance is accepted, then the sub judice rule would not only become redundant, but the court would be licensing widely circulated newspapers to recklessly publish contents of a document that could be false,” stated the court order.
The top judge, in the written order, further stated that it appeared that no legal opinion was obtained regarding the status of Rana Shamim’s document. Subsequently, the court directed Mr Shamim and the journalists to appear in person on Jan 20 for indictment.
The high court had initiated proceedings against Shamim and others after an affidavit was published in the newspaper that accused former chief justice Saqib Nisar of influencing the case against ex-PM Nawaz Sharif and his daughter Maryam Nawaz.
