ISLAMABAD - In a major development, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) Monday evening received former chief judge of Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) Rana Muhammad Shamim’s original affidavit which he authored and signed in London.
The original affidavit was sent from London through a courier service. Envelop of the affidavit is sealed and it would be opened during the next hearing of the case. The word “confidential” is written on the envelop with written instructions that only Chief Justice of IHC can open it.
According to the details, the courier carrying the sealed affidavit was received by the registrar of the Islamabad High Court, who placed another seal on it to secure it. Now, the affidavit from Rana Shamim would be presented and opened before the court on the next hearing.
Earlier in the day, IHC had deferred the indictment of Rana Muhammad Shamim in the contempt case against him.
A single bench of IHC comprising Chief Justice of IHC Justice Athar Minallah conducted hearing of the case in which he had issued show cause notices to Shakil ur Rehman, Editor in Chief, Aamir Ghouri, Editor, Ansar Abbasi and Rana Mohammad Shamim, former Chief Judge of the Supreme Appellate Court of Gilgit-Baltistan after publication of a news item claiming that Rana Shamim executed an affidavit in which he levelled allegations against former Chief Justice of Pakistan Saqib Nisar.
The court again directed Shamim to submit the original affidavit he authored and signed in London and adjourned the framing of charges against the alleged contemnors till December 20.
During the proceedings, Attorney General for Pakistan Khalid Jawed Khan said that Shamim had deliberately leaked the contents of the affidavit and the proceedings regarding the indictment could be resumed after submission of the original document.
He also said that the responses submitted by Ansar Abbasi and Shamim were contradictory and they must be ordered to submit counter-affidavits. However, the court said that it was giving another chance to the accused to satisfy the bench over the proceedings against them.
Abbasi also contested the response of Shamim submitted to the court that termed the contents of the affidavit were “confidential”. He said that when he contacted Shamim to seek his version, the former judge did not mention anything of the sort.
At this, Justice Athar said that Abbasi could submit a new response if he wanted to add anything to his defense.
The court also pointed out that Rana Shamim said the notary public leaked the document. If his response is sent to the regulator in Britain then it can become a problem for the notary public.
Justice Athar said that this is not just a case of contempt of court but this is matter of his own accountability.
Then, the court adjourned the hearing till December 20 and directed Shamim to submit the original affidavit before that date.
