ISLASMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) today directed former chief justice of Gilgit-Baltistan Rana Shamim to submit his original affidavit by Monday which purportedly alleges former chief justice Mian Saqib Nisar of colluding to deny bails to PML-N leadership before general elections 2018.
Chief Justice Athar Minallah warned the ex-chief justice judge that charges would be framed against him in the next hearing on December 13, if the original affidavit was not produced in the court on that date.
During the previous hearing on Nov 30, the IHC had directed Rana Shamim to submit the original affidavit — which the former judge claimed was with his family in the United Kingdom — as well as his response within four days.
In today’s hearing, IHC chief judge Justice Minallah pointed out that Shamim had distanced himself from the alleged affidavit in The News report, observing that it had raised questions about the judiciary. “Are these the journalistic standards that such reports be published?”
The report had created a narrative of levelling allegations against judges, Justice Minallah said, remarking that they could not hold press conferences to present their stance. The judges are being pressured like this, he added.
“The names of respected judges of this court were taken who were not even present in the country at that time. Why did Rana Shamim write an affidavit after three years? It must be for some purpose,” he further remarked.
Justice Minallah noted that Shamim said he had not given his affidavit to the media, observing that affidavits related to cases were submitted in the courts.
