Contempt of court case: IHC decides to indict ex-CJ Rana Shamim on Jan 7

Ex-CJ Gilgit Baltistan Rana Shamim appears before IHC

ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday has directed to indict Gilgit Baltistan’s former Chief Judge Rana Shamim on January 7 in contempt of court case.

During the hearing, IHC Chief Justice (CJ) Athar Minallah, while ordering to launch contempt of court proceedings against ex-CJ Rana Shamim, has summoned all the parties for arguments.

The IHC CJ remarked that it’s not contempt of court matter but a case of court’s accountability. It was being spread that this court has reached a compromise. The judiciary is presenting itself for accountability, he added.

Meanwhile, the court has ordered to resealed the affidavit envelop which was opened by Rana Shamim. The affidavit has nothing to do with former Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Saqib Nisar. it’s only an attempt to make IHC controversial, Athar Minallah stated.

Arriving at the court, the ex-CJ said that he was alone at the time when he had filed his affidavit.

Responding to reporters, Rana Shamim said ask questions to those who are saying that I had recorded the affidavit in the presence of former Prime Minister (PM) Mian Nawaz Sharif.

Previously, IHC had received the original affidavit of Chief Judge Rana Shamim and deferred the decision of indicting him.

The high court had also termed replies of all the parties including Rana Shamim as unsatisfactory.

Earlier, IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah had directed Rana Shamim to submit his original affidavit till December 13 and also warned of indicting him in the case if he fails to present the document.

IHC judge asked Rana Shamin whether he accepts the content written in the affidavit over which he stated that he hasn t seen the affidavit which was submitted in this court as the original one is locked in his locker in United Kingdom.

Attorney general said it is strange that ex-CJ doesn’t remember what is in the affidavit. Every day of this court is important as it is the "season" of leaks, he added.

It is to be mentioned here that the high court had taken notice of revelations leveled by former chief judge of Gilgit Baltistan Rana Muhammad Shamim regarding PML-N leaders Nawaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz and summoned all the parties and Attorney General Khalid Javed Khan in personal capacity.

Former CJ of Gilgit Baltistan was also served with contempt of court notice.

IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah remarked, “I trust each and every judge of the court. The judges can also be made accountable and criticized. An environment of disbelief will prevail in society if people stop trusting the courts.”

Athar Minallah told the he had also faced social media backlash. He further directed the journalist to read his story’s headline. The IHC CJ asked where the former judge had notarized this affidavit as it is not part of any record of this court.