ISLAMABAD, Sep 02 (Online): 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. This court does not believe in contempt of court laws. The court will not bar any one from criticizing but criticism should be based on truth”, he gave these remarks during the hearing of PFUJ petition against harassing the journalists across the country here Friday.
The case came up for hearing before IHC bench led by CJ Athar Minallah here Friday.
CJ IHC remarked “campaign is running against me as well. It makes no difference to the court. The truth has to come out one day.
PFUJ leadership appeared in the court along with their counsel Shah Khawar.
The 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 the court. Campaign was launched of every kind and it is run. But the court is not impacted by it. The 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 anything 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 someone is saying wrong then let him say wrong. Kashif Abbasi is present here. He strongly criticized court. This court is happy over how much you criticize it. The big journalists are telling me. What thing I don’t know they are telling to nation. The time will tell this court is on what side. Neither this court was impressed by anything earlier nor will it be impressed in future.
The court further remarked to my view this is the only court against which the campaign of every kind was launched. Criticism is power of this court.
Shah Khawar told the court cases were registered against the journalists in Karachi and Islamabad. The petitioner was arrested in Karachi. Then the court discharged.
The court remarked it seems to this court since the last three years that journalist is bigger threat for this country. We could not restore the constitution fully so far. All will be ok if the constitution is fully revived in this country.
Afzal Butt president PFUJ told the court what decision you had given with reference to the journalists that FIA and PFUJ should see the matter it came on the way and the cases are being registered at other places.
Saqib Bashir president Islamabad High Court Journalists Association told the 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.
The court remarked you are not leaving this court for this reason.
PFUJ president told the court the journalists are being lifted. They are being suppressed. Please stop this matter.
The court remarked the report came from UN and this entire report is related to the cases against the journalists. The cases which have been referred therein are pending hearing in this court. This letter contained the name of Mati Ullah Jan, Asad TOOR, Absar Alam, Gull Bokhari and others.
PFUJ Secretary general Lala Asad Pathan told the court Sabir Shakir and Arshid Sharif have gone abroad in exile.
The court remarked this name is in this letter because he had come in 2021. If some new letter comes now then this name may be therein.
Journalists Association, Parliament and federal government will have to think over it why UN is telling us this all. Can any chief executive say we don’t know these things? They kept on saying for three years that this court is friend of some one. Now friendship has changed and they say now it is someone else friend. You should not have come to the court. Federal government should see this matter.
The court remarked give it in writing this states remained no more and has finished. UN letter is too much enough for all of them. Does government want another letter of report should come to us. There should be no bar on freedom of speech for revival of the constitution. Always wrong campaign has been unleashed with reference to this court.
Anchor person Kashif Abbasi told the court good things were also said with reference to you. We were waiting for your arrival.
PFUJ president told the court they should be restrained from arresting any one till 5 September.
The court remarked it cannot issue such blanket order.
Shah Khawar counsel for journalists told the court record of cases against the journalists be called from interior ministry.
The court remarked we have no jurisdiction upto provincial governments.
Shah Khawar requested the court this court should call the record from interior ministry.
The court remarked tell us about the journalists who are facing such incidents. Executive have failed in giving basic rights. The journalists are being arrested and harassed all over the country.
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