IHC disposes of Capt Safdar’s plea against Aitzaz Ahsan

The Islamabad High Court has disposed of Capt ® Muhammad Safdar’s petition against PPP leader and renowned lawyer Aitzaz Ahsan seeking contempt proceedings against the latter, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah heard the case on Tuesday. 

At the outset of the hearing, the chief justice inquired if the Pakistan Bar Council or any other bar had their reservation over the judgements of this court, then they should let us know. 

Capt Safdar said media and social media gave so much coverage to Aitzaz’s remarks.

CJ Minallah inquired if anybody had doubts about the impartiality of the Islamabad High Court. ‘If not, then stop paying heed to someone’s irresponsible remarks,’ the judge said adding ‘our judgements will show whether people trust this court or not’. 

He remarked that the court would not seek undue explanation from anyone. 

The counsel for the petitioner told the court that the senior jurist, Aitzaz Ahsan, uttered remarks against the judiciary and institutions. Aitzaz criticized the verdict of this court the detailed judgement of which was yet to be released, the lawyer added. 

Chief Justice Minallah remarked that ‘everyday Vlogs are posted and news published against this court, but we don’t care. We should not give importance to such things. This court is known for its judgements. Everyone says whatever he wants to say. But contempt proceedings are not a solution’. 

However, the court chided the petitioner’s lawyer for giving reference of Rana Shamim case. 

The CJ inquired of the lawyer if he had no trust in this court. On which, the lawyer said that he had full trust in this court but had objection to the Aitzaz’s remarks which he had uttered against the state institutions. 

Reporter Ehtisham Kiyani