Former Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Judge Rana Shamim’s reply and apology have been rejected by the Islamabad High Court (IHC) and one week’s time has been given for the final response.
Earlier Rana Shamim had tendered an unconditional apology to the court in the contempt of court case against him. The former chief judge had alleged the previous Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Saqib Nisar that he had attempted to influence a case against the Sharif family.
Islamabad High Court (IHC) Chief Justice Athar Minallah remarked that if Rana Shamim says that the affidavit was wrong, was there no responsibility on the newspaper? He added that Rana Shamim has said that he submitted wrong affidavit which was published by a major newspaper of the country.
Chief Justice IHC Athar Minallah said to Rana Shamim that the court had no ego and will prove by conduct. He noted that Justice Aamer Farooq was on Serial 4 at that time, the dates of which have been alleged in the affidavit.
According to the on ground reporter Chief Justice Athar Minallah said that the purpose of contempt of court was only to make the alleged contemnor realize that he has done wrong as whoever would speak the truth and apologize to the court would be generous. He said that the purpose of contempt of court proceedings was not to punish.
According to media reports, he had written in his apology that the name of Justice Amir Farooq was mistakenly written instead of a senior judge. He also stated in his apology that he was under mental stress at the age of 72.
Rana Shamim also wrote,” I tender an unconditional apology to all sitting judges for the grave misunderstanding.” He had challenged his indictment in the contempt of court case in the IHC.
