ISLAMABAD: Former Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Justice Rana Shamim told the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday that the affidavit he had filed before a UK magistrate was a sealed document, not to be seen by the general public.
Shahmeem’s remarks came during the hearing of a case related to a leaked audio tape allegedly involving former Chief Justice of Pakistan Saqib Nisar. A few weeks ago, Shamim, in a notarized affidavit, alleged that the then CJP had directed a high court judge not to release Nawaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz on bail at any cost before the 2018 general elections. The allegations were published in a report News Following which the IHC directed the former judge to submit his reply.
The former GB chief told the court that he did not know which affidavit was reported by the media.
During today’s hearing, IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah, who was leading the proceedings, said that the independence of the judiciary was dependent on the freedom of the press. “However, there are some responsibilities that come with freedom of the press,” he said.
The Chief Justice of the IHC then called Shamim on stage and asked whether he had given a written reply to the court regarding the matter.
Shamim replied, “My lawyer will tell you why I didn’t give a written reply.” “my brothers chehlum Will be held in a few days. Please take a hearing after that,” he requested.
Justice Minallah told Shamim that he had allegedly submitted an affidavit on an incident that happened three years ago. “A newspaper published the details of the affidavit for the public [to read],” noted IHC CJ.
The former judge replied, “I was contacted after my affidavit was published. I confirmed it.” “The affidavit was sealed, I don’t know how it got leaked,” he said.
“Didn’t you give him an affidavit? [the reporter]?” asked Justice Minallah.
“No, I have not submitted the affidavit for publication,” replied the former judge.
‘You tried to shake the public’s confidence in the judiciary’
Justice Minallah asked Shamim why he submitted the affidavit in London. Justice Minallah said, “The court is giving you five days to file your written reply. You have to tell us why you submitted an affidavit after a gap of three years.”
The IHC chief justice told Shamim that he “tried to shake the public’s confidence in the judiciary”, directing the former judge to say whatever he had to say in a written response.
“My Brother and Sister-in-law” chehlum will be held on December 5 and 12 respectively,” Shamim told the Chief Justice of the IHC. “Please hear after that,” he requested once again.
He said that if the hearing is held before this, he will not be able to get the original affidavit.
Rana Shamim will be very easy if you keep the date after December
If the date is fixed first, then the original statement will not be Affidavit Rana Shamim
Further hearing of the case was adjourned till December 7.
Ask Them To Get The Affidavit Through The Embassy, Suggests The Attorney General
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Attorney-General Khalid Javed Khan said the court may direct Shamim to obtain the affidavit through the embassy.
The Attorney-General urged the court to delay action against the media, saying its role in the case was secondary. He urged the court to direct Shamim to produce his written reply in the court along with the original affidavit.
To this Shamim said that he did not know which affidavit was reported by the media. “Let me have a look at the affidavit that was published earlier,” he said.
To this, the Attorney-General responded by saying: “The person who has submitted the affidavit is unaware of its contents.”
“If he doesn’t know then who prepared the affidavit?”
“It must be on record, that he [Rana Shamim] Do not know what is written in the affidavit.
“I do not believe in contempt of court,” Justice Minallah insisted. “Judges should face criticism. However, please refrain from defaming this High Court for political narratives,” he said.
The Chief Justice of IHC adjourned the proceedings till December 7, directing Shamim to file his written reply along with the original affidavit in the next hearing.
Justice Minallah also asked the former judge to give a written reply to the show cause notice sent to him by the high court.