ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has formed two larger benches to initiate contempt proceedings on cases related to malicious campaigns against its judges.
Justice Babar Sattar and Justice Akhtar Mohsin Kayani of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) have sought contempt proceedings against those involved in the alleged smear campaign against them.
As per the court’s cause list, one bench will be headed by IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq and comprising of Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb and Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahirm. The other bench will comprise Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani, Justice Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri, and Justice Sardar Ejaz Ishaq Khan.
These contempt cases are scheduled to be heard on Thursday (May 9).
Justice Babar Sattar raised concerns by writing a letter to the IHC Chief Justice regarding a social media campaign against him. Both Justice Sattar and Justice Kayani are among six IHC judges who have complained of interference in judicial matters by the establishment.
Previously, the IHC condemned the “malicious campaign” against Justice Babar Sattar on social media. Confidential information and documents belonging to the judge were leaked online, including travel documents of Sattar, his wife, and children. False accusations of hiding assets in Pakistan and the US were also made.
The IHC clarified that Justice Babar Sattar has only held Pakistani nationality and returned to Pakistan in 2005 after working as a lawyer in New York. The leaked campaign also disclosed details about properties declared in the judge’s tax returns, accompanied by baseless allegations.
The court noted that Justice Sattar’s assets in Pakistan and the US were thoroughly reviewed by the Judicial Commission of Pakistan before his appointment as a judge.
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