ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Friday deferred until January 20 the indictment of ex-chief judge of Gilgit-Baltistan Rana Muhammad Shamim and three media persons in a contempt of court case originated from the publication of an affidavit.
Earlier, the court had set January 7 for framing of charges against the alleged contemnors including Rana Muhammad Shamim, Jang Group’s Editor-in-Chief Mir Shakeelur Rehman and senior journalists Ansar Abbasi and Aamir Ghauri.
A news report published in The News by senior journalist and Editor Investigation The News Ansar Abbasi about an affidavit, which accused the former chief justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar of influencing to delay the release of PML-N top leadership from the prison before the 2018 general election.
On Friday, the IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah made it clear that the court believed in the freedom of expression. Attorney General for Pakistan Khalid Jawed Khan submitted that his legal stance from the day first was that the role of media was secondary in the matter.
He said trial should not be affected in any way, no matter who is at fault. He said in case Ansar Abbasi receives an affidavit from now on, he will make sure to investigate it further. He said the court should indict Rana Shamim and that he would be given a fair trial. However, he asked the court to delay the indictment of the journalists. “But they should remain present during court proceedings”.
Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) Secretary-General Nasir Zaidi, who was present during the hearing, said the court was a light in the darkness, as this court had given journalists justice. He appealed the court to refrain from framing charges.
Abdul Latif Afridi, senior counsel for Rana Shamim, submitted before the court that since one of the suspects (Mir Shakeelur Rehman) was not present in the court today, charges should not be framed.
Faisal Siddiqui, amicus curiae of the court, stated that ‘irresponsibly’ publishing a news story did not warrant criminal contempt proceedings against a person. He said he was just against the indicting of the journalists. Later, the court adjourned the hearing until January 20.
In the leaked affidavit, on which journalist Ansar Abbasi’s report was based, Rana Shamim had allegedly stated that Mian Saqib Nisar, during his visit to GB, made a call to an IHC judge and asked him to ensure that former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and his daughter Maryam Nawaz were not released on bail before July 25, 2018 general elections.
The affidavit was published as part of an investigative report by The News on Nov 15. The IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah had subsequently taken notice of the report and later issued show-cause notices to Rana Shamin, Ansar Abbasi, Mir Shakeelur Rehman and Aamir Ghauri under the Contempt of Court law.