ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice (CJ) Islamabad High Court (IHC) Athar Minallah has remarked this court does not believe in contempt of court laws. “If some says wrong let him say wrong. Court will not bar any one from criticising but criticism should be based on truth”, he gave these remarks during hearing of PFUJ petition against harassing journalists across country here yesterday.

Case came up for hearing before IHC bench led by CJ Athar Minallah. CJ IHC remarked “campaign is running against me as well. It makes no difference to court. Truth has to come out one day. PFUJ  leadership appeared in court along with their counsel Shah Khawar. Court remarked it is again made clear that how much campaign one has to run against this court one is free to run. This makes no difference to court.

Campaign was launched of every kind and it is run. But court is not impacted by it. Journalists should think what they are doing, is it correct. Every court repute is connected with its decisions and conduct. Nothing is printed of any judge. Court reporters know it better. Whosoever has to do any thing he is free to do it. It makes no difference. But think it what are you doing. This court does not believe in contempt of court laws. If some one is saying wrong then let him say wrong. Kashif Abbasi is present here. He strongly criticised court. This court is happy over how much  you criticise it.  Big journalists are telling me. What thing I don’t know they are telling to nation. Time will tell this court is on what side. Neither this court was impressed by any thing earlier nor will it be impressed in future. Court remarked to my view this is only court against which campaign of every kind was launched. Criticism is power of this court. Shah Khawar told court cases were registered against journalists in Karachi and Islamabad. Petitioner was arrested in Karachi. Then court discharged. Court remarked it seems to this court since last three years that journalist is bigger threat for this country. We could not restore constitution fully so far.

All will be ok if Constitution is fully revived in this country. Afzal Butt President PFUJ told court what decision you had given with reference to journalists that FIA and PFUJ should see matter it came on way and cases are being registered at other places. Saqib Bashir president Islamabad High Court Journalists Association told court one journalist was arrested by police and kept him with it after subjecting him to torture for five days. Police handed over this journalist to FIA and he remained there for five days. This is government which is doing all this.

Published in The Daily National Courier, September, 03 2022

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