Islamabad: Islamabad High Court (IHC) Justice Ajas Ishaq Khan on Wednesday began his insulting proceedings when the case was listening to PTI founder Imran Khan’s right to meet his lawyer – he was shifted to a large bench without “knowledge or consent”.
Justice Ejaz Ishaq asked the state lawyer, “The law under which a miscellaneous petition was filed for the transfer of the case.” The IHC judge asked, “If the state supports the case without the consent of the judge to move the case to a major bench,” the IHC judge asked.
The judge remarked, “Instead of doing so, you would have detonated the foundations of my court with explosives.”
Yesterday, the IHC administration had constituted a three-member bench-led by Acting Chief Justice Sardar Sarfraz Dogar-to hear all 26 requests related to the rights of Imran Khan’s visit and the terms of the jail.
Since the orders of such a petition were not implemented, Imran’s lawyer Mashal Yousufzai took contempt action against Adiala Jail Superintendent Abdul Ghafoor Anjum. The case was heard last week by Justice Ishaq.
However, the cause of the case, headed by Justice Ishaq, was resumed on March 21 – was canceled by the IHC Registrar’s office due to the formation of a large bench, which came out during the hearing on Wednesday.
Yousafzai, his lawyer’s lawyer Shoaib Shaheen and Imran’s spokesman Niazullah Khan Niazi appeared before the court.
When Justice Ejaz Ishaq asked the Deputy Registrar Judicial as “who ordered the cancellation of the kaz list”, he replied that he had received instructions from the Chief Justice’s office.
He added, “The Chief Justice’s office ordered the cancellation of the kaz list because a large bench has been set up for the case.”
“If this is happening to us, how is it being treated with other people,” said Consul Michelle Yousafzai.
Justice Ejaz Ishaq said, “We have concerns about our institution, which is going towards you, now we have been instructed by me, this is a problem of dignity of the High Court.”
He added, “I am starting these operations to decide all these questions.
The bench adjourned further hearing of the case till tomorrow.
In a separate development, requests were made together to listen to the front of a large bench for tomorrow.
The bench, headed by Justice Dougar and Justice Arbab Mohammad Tahir and Mohammad Azam Khan, will hear the petitions, including a case of humiliation of Yusufzai.
All 26 petitions – including contempt of court petitions against Anjum – were transferred to a large bench at the request of the Adiala Jail official, citing the challenges of supply in appearing before several benches.
