IHC takes notice of ex-CJ GB Rana Shamim’s allegations against former CJP Saqib Nisar

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has summoned former chief justice of Gilgit-Baltistan Justice (retd) Rana Shamim in relation to his allegations against ex-CJP Saqib Nisar.

The IHC has summoned Shamim,  senior journalist Ansar Abbasi tomorrow (Tuesday).

A report had published in a news paper stated that then CJP Saqib Nisar had directed a high court judge to not release Nawaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz on bail at any cost before the 2018 General Elections.

“Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz Sharif must remain in jail until the general elections are over. On assurances from the other side, he (Saqib Nisar) became calm and happily demanded another cup of tea,” this is what is said in the affidavit of the former top judge of GB talking about the then chief justice of Pakistan.

Chief Justice Athar Minallah held an urgent hearing and took the decision to summon the above-mentioned persons after the Islamabad High Court Registry took notice of the report.

During the hearing, Justice Minallah said the court will treat this matter very seriously, adding that an attempt has been made to shake the people’s confidence in the judiciary.

Justice Minallah will preside over the hearing tomorrow at 10:30am.

Justice (retd) Saqib Nisar refutes allegations

According to the affidavit, Shamim’s statement was given under oath before the Oath Commissioner on November 10, 2021. The affidavit, duly notarised, contains the signature of the ex-CJ of Gilgit Baltistan as well as an image of his NIC card. The notary public stamped the affidavit and recorded that it was “sworn under oath before me” on Nov 10, 2021.

Both Nawaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz were convicted by an accountability court in a graft case before the July 25, 2018 general elections. Their lawyers had moved the court for suspension of the conviction but the case, after initial hearings, was postponed till last week of July.

But former chief justice Saqib Nisar, when approached, categorically denied that he had ever directed any of his subordinate judges in connection with any judicial order whether it pertained to Nawaz Sharif, Shehbaz Sharif, Maryam Nawaz or anyone else.

In his response, the former CJP said that the news report about him “contradicts the facts”, adding that he would not respond to the “white lies” levelled against him by ex-GB chief justice Rana Shamim.

Nisar accused Shamim of asking for an extension as the chief justice of Gilgit-Baltistan. Nisar added that he had denied him the extension.

“At one point in time, Rana Shamim also complained to me about not getting the extension,” he said.

“It is not wise to respond to every lie,” he added.