ISLAMABAD   -   The Islamabad High Court (IHC) Friday observed that the systematic campaign against the august Supreme Court as well as this court, particularly by ARY news channel, appears to be based on an imaginary narrative.

A single bench of IHC comprising Chief Justice   Athar Minallah made the observation while hearing the petition of anchorperson Arshad Sharif who sought protection against the alleged harassment of FIA.

Therefore, the IHC bench directed the Bureau Chief of M/s ARY, News Channel to appear before the court on the next date of hearing and justify the systematic campaign against the august Supreme Court and this court.

In the meanwhile, the court directed the FIA and the Inspector General of ICT police, not to harass nor take any adverse action against the petitioner or other journalists relating to their professional duties and functions.

During the hearing, FIA Director Humayun Bashir Tarar, appeared and stated that no proceedings have been initiated against the petitioner nor any other journalist associated with the television channel managed and operated by M/s ARY Media Communication.

The counsel for the petitioner, however, stated that threatening messages were received by the petitioner and some other journalists. The IHC chief justice noted that the Court has been receiving similar complaints from journalists in the past.

At this, Humayun Bashir Tarar assured the Court that no one would be unnecessarily harassed. Justice Athar said that the court has no reason to doubt the statement made on behalf of the agency. He added, “Nonetheless, the agency is directed to submit a report, inter alia, explaining why the perception of threat from its officials regarding actions against persons engaged in the profession of journalism has not been dispelled.” The representatives of journalist community Afzal Butt and Saqib Bashir also appeared on behalf of the persons engaged in the profession of journalism.

The bench mentioned that it has been reported that attempts have been made, particularly by the television channel, ARY News, to bring the august Supreme Court and this Court into disrepute and thus erode the confidence of the people in the judicial system. They were asked whether any order was passed or a petition was entertained in the evening of the 9th of April, 2022 that may have prejudiced someone or interfered with proceedings of other constitutional bodies. They answered in the negative.

Justice Athar stated that it appeared as if they were also not aware that in the past,  this Court has entertained several petitions after the official timings and the petition in hand was also entertained and order was passed after the notified Court timings and despite the fact that the prescribed formalities had not been complied with. The IHC chief justice also observed that the systematic campaign against the august Supreme Court as well as this Court, particularly by ARY, News channel, appears to be based on an imaginary narrative and in disregard to the notified policy of the Court to receive petitions after court timings, provided they involve extreme urgency.

He added that the court has always encouraged fair criticism and comments, but advancing unfounded political narratives and systematic vilification campaign against the judiciary has grave consequences for the litigants.

Later, the bench deferred the hearing in this matter till May 12 for further proceedings.