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Judges take exception to `procedural anomaly` in contempt case

2025-04-25
ISLAMABAD: Justice Inaam Ameen Minhas of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) expressed concern on Thursday over placing contempt of court petitions by leadersof the Pakistan Tehreek-iInsaf (PTI) before a single bench, despite the case originating from a larger bench order dated March 23.

The petitions, filed byPTI leaders including Opposition Leaderin the National Assembly Omar Ayub, Senator Shibli Faraz and Aleema Khan, allege that the jail authorities at Adiala Jailhave repeatedly defied court orders by not permitting meetings with former prime minister Imran Khan.

During the hearing, lawyers Salman AkramRaja, Mohammad Ali Bukhari, Shoaib Shaheen, Niazullah Khan Niazi, Khalid Yousuf Chaudhry, Babar Awan and Sardar Latif Khosa appeared alongside the petitioners.

Advocate Shoaib Shaheen read out theMarch 23 order issued by a larger bench of the IHC, which includes Acting Chief Justice Sarfaraz Dogar, Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir and Justice Muhammad Asif.

Justice Minhas questioned whether a single bench could preside overa matter that stemmed from a larger bench`s directive. `I will seek a report from the Registrar`s Office to determine how this case was assigned to me,` he stated, signalling procedural irregularities.

Advocate Salman Akram Raja argued that a single bench could hear the matter under certain circumstances, especially given the urgency and violation of basic rights. `Our representatives are turned away at gunpoint. We submit names via WhatsApp and follow every protocol,` hesaid.

Imran Khan`s sister Aleema Khan told the court that Imran Khan had been denied visitation rights for five weeks.

`This is not just contempt of court. It`s the humiliation of the judiciary. We are left wandering around Adiala Jail with court orders in hand.

Senator Shibli Faraz also expressed frustration, stating, `We are mocked when we go to meet the former prime minister as per court orders. Even a constable tells us he answers to a colonel, not the court.`Malik Asad