ISLAMABAD: Islamabad High Court (IHC) rejected reply of former Chief Judge Gilgit Baltistan Rana Shamim and instructed him to file a new one on next hearing in contempt of court case against him Earlier, Rana Shamim submitted an affidavit in which he withdrew his statement about current judge of IHC. He said that it was a three year old incident and statement was his misunderstanding as he was 72.

He further admitted that no serving judge of this court was involved in this dispute thus he apologised unconditionally to all serving judges of this court for his misunderstanding. Rana Shamim said that he was leaving himself at mercy of court and requested it to end contempt of court proceedings against him while accepting his apology.

Shamim’s Lawyer Latif Afridi said that they had accepted contents of affidavit but name of IHC judge was mentioned mistakenly. Chief Justice Athar Minallah remarked that accused had claimed that IHC’s judges could be compromised and now he had to prove his allegation.

New answer had made matter more complex, he noted. Chief Justice remarked that if someone apologised in contempt case and also reflected it with his conduct then court didn’t consider continuing proceeding as it had no ego. Court said that no one could influence it even if he was a Chief Justice.

Standing with affidavit and apology at same time couldn’t stay together, Justice Minallah said. Chief Justice said that if he was standing with his affidavit then he should hold us as accountable with proving allegations. Lawyer said that his client was under mental stress at time when affidavit was written due to deaths in family. Chief Justice said that truth should be exposed whatever it was, adding that a serious allegation was leveled on this court which couldn’t be ignored. He said that Rana Shamim shouldn’t accept any pressure of this court. Court granted him one more opportunity to submit his answer after detailed consideration.

Published in The Daily National Courier, September, 13 2022

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