The Islamabad High Court has issued a notice to Islamabad IG police while hearing a petition against the re-arrest of PTI leaders Shireen Mazari, Malika Bukhari and Ali Muhammad Khan after their release despite the court order, reported 24NewHD TV channel.
Justice Miangul Hasan Aurangzeb remarked during the hearing of the case on Friday that the court has concern in these cases.
“The government has tried to defeat the court writ. We say it is a civilized country, what is happening with the court orders does not prove it,” the judge remarked.
The court said, “A campaign was launched against the constitutional courts. These courts are sitting to deliver justice according to the law. Those who are running the campaign took relief from the same courts yesterday. We judges cannot do talk shows, sit there and defend ourselves. Our power is bar, and the Attorney General, you are our power.”
Justice Aurangzeb said that the writ of the court is the dignity of this country. No one is justifying the (May 9) violence. Place this matter before the highest authority for the sake of this country, he added.
During the hearing, Attorney General for Pakistan Mansoor Usman Khkan said this country has to run under the constitution. Courts and all constitutional institutions have to work within the constitution, he added.
He said no one could defeat the court writ. He said that arrests by the Punjab police is a provincial matter. He said the Punjab police issued orders under 3MPO. It is up to the court to review the legal position of the Punjab government orders, he added.
The court said that this time will pass but its effects will remain on the country. We are here only for service.
Justice Aurangzeb got emotional while uttering these words during the hearing. On this occasion, the lawyers standing on the rostrum said that ‘we are with the court’.
The court declared that the Punjab police cannot arrest anyone directly from Islamabad. “In hindsight, the Islamabad police cannot separate itself from it. Was the Punjab police called by the Islamabad police because the court prevented them from making arrest?”
Justice Aurangzeb remarked what is the reason the orders of the constitutional institution are being flouted?
The court directed the attorney general to place this serious matter before the higher authority.
Justice Aurangzeb added, “This time will pass, but the stains will remain forever. We are sitting here to serve, we are living in a democracy. We are also aware of the campaign that is going on against the constitutional courts. Whatever happened will be remembered as Pakistan's dark chapter.”
Later, the Islamabad High Court issued a contempt notice to the Islamabad IG police. The court said why was Shireen Mazari handed over to the Punjab police despite the court order?
The court ordered the IG to submit his reply by Monday.
Meanwhile, Justice Miangul Hasan Aurangzeb heard the contempt of court petition on re-arrest of PTI leaders Malika Bukhari and Ali Muhammad Khan after their release. The court issued notices to the attorney general and Islamabad IG, seeking a reply from them.
With this, the court adjourned further hearing of the case till May 23.
Reporter Ehtisham Kiyani