The Islamabad High Court on Saturday summoned former Gilgit-Baltistan top 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.
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.
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. 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.
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.
Since the affidavit surfaced in one of Pakistan’s leading newspapers on November 15, its authenticity has been in question.
