Islamabad High Court (IHC) Chief Justice, Justice Sarfraz Dogar, on Friday clarified his earlier comments about Advocate Imaan Mazari, stating his words were misinterpreted and misconstrued.
Justice Dogar explained his intention was not to offend or launch a personal assault. ‘Imaan Mazari is like my daughters; I was only advising her yesterday,’ he stated, emphasizing his aim was to highlight that while court rulings can be discussed, personal attacks should be refrained from.
The Chief Justice also refuted allegations of threatening Mazari’s detainment. ‘I never said I would arrest her; this is being circulated since yesterday,’ he clarified. He explained that, in the presence of Advocate Hadi-Mazari’s spouse-he only mentioned that, if necessary, lawful measures could be pursued as per regulations. Otherwise, contempt actions could be started, potentially damaging a lawyer’s professional standing.
This explanation followed tense interactions the previous day during the hearing of a plea to have Mehrang Baloch’s name taken off the Exit Control List (ECL). During the legal proceedings, Justice Dogar commented that ‘if I issue a directive in this matter, Ms. Mazari will go outside and claim a tyrant is presiding here.’ Mazari retorted that she had not issued any such pronouncements outside the bounds of the law.
The conversation became strained, with the Chief Justice urging Mazari to maintain professional etiquette, while Mazari argued her observations were individual and shouldn’t impact her client’s petition. She added that if the tribunal held prejudice against her, it should not bias the case.
Justice Dogar at one instance remarked: ‘You claimed I am not a justice but an autocrat presiding here-why shouldn’t contempt measures be taken against you?’ Mazari answered that she had conveyed her opinion within her fundamental right to expression.
The court discourse continued to intensify when the Chief Justice, addressing Advocate Hadi, stated: ‘Explain it to her, otherwise someday I might have to apprehend her.’ Mazari strongly replied that if judicial bodies used intimidation against attorneys, she would bravely face contempt proceedings.