ISLAMABAD: It was not a good day on Tuesday at Islamabad High Court (°IHC) for Rana Shamim, ex chief justice of Gilgit Baltistan (GB) , and his counsel, Latif Afridi. At the outset of the hearing in the affidavit case, IHC chief justice, Athar Minallah, told the counsel for Rana Shamim to open-up a sealed envelope containing affidavit of his client. The counsel for Rana Shamim showed reluctance in opening -up the envelope having affidavit of Rana Shamim notrised in London. On this , the court asked Rana Shamim to open-up the envelope and confirm if the affidavit contained in it was original. In compliance to the court order, Rana Shamim opened- up the envelope and confirmed that the affidavit found from the envelope was original.
During the course of hearing, attorney general of Pakistan told the court that the case had enough material to indict Rana Shamim and other co-accused in the case. The IHC chief justice inquired from the accused Rana Shamim that having gone through his allegations against this court why he and other his accomplices should not be indicted in contempt case?. The court also gave an opportunity to Ansar Abbasi to argue in the case. On this, Ansar Anbasi , the author of the story in question, pleaded before the court that he had spoken to Rana Shamim about his affidavit and has record of the messages sent to him before filing of the story. After hearing the arguements of all the parties, the court decided to indict Rana Shamim and other accused in the case on January 7, 2021.
Later talking to media outside the court, Latif Afridi questioned the role of attorney general and said he, as counsel for Rana Shamim, has serious objection to attorney general’s arguements in the case. Regarding tendering unconditional apology in the case, he said he may argue on it on next hearing after consulting with his client .
