ISLAMABAD: Although debate over Rana Shamim’s affidavit’s is making ripples in national politics, a recent development suggested the legal statement of former chief justice of Gilgit- Baltistan (GB) was not meant for consumption in Pakistan’s courts.
Reliable sources told NEWSMAN that House of Sharifs has submitted Rana Shamim’s affidavit in a London appellate immigration tribunal which is currently hearing Nawaz Sharif’s plea against dismissal of his request by British Home Department for extension in visa.
Since Rana Shamim is an old guard of Sharifs. He was picked- up for making this judiciary specific affidavit for a specific purpose, besidea dragging establishment into the controversy. On the invitation of Nawaz Sharif, Rana Shamim flew to London despite demise of his elder brother just two days ago. He was briefed by Sharifs in London on already crafted plan of preparing his affidavit challenging the character of Saqib Nisar, besides questioning credibility of Pakistan’s higher judiciary. Saqib Nisar, who was legal advisor to Sharifs for years was on their radar for not remaining loyal to them as chief justice of Pakistan (CJP). Rana Shamim’s affidavit was basically a double-edge sword. On one hand it hit Pakistan’s superior judiciary below the belt and on the other it tried to establish that Saqib Nisar and other judges of apex court of Pakistan were not independent. Saqib Nisar as judge too had dubious credentials. His number of judgments are self-explanatory.
The purpose of making Rana Shamim’s affidavit and notarized from London seems to give an impression in British appellate court that Pakistan’s judiciary was functioning under duress and its decisions against Sharifs and PMLN were under coercion. Sharifs could use Rana Shamim’s affidavit without making it public through its loyal media group in Pakistan, but here is when one is make to believe that man proposes God disposes.
British Home Department had rejected request of PML-N supremo in September last. House of Sharifs perhaps did not expect this development. It submitted an appeal for review with appellate immigration tribunal in London against British Home Department’s decision.
The appellate immigration tribunal is likely to decide the appeal of Nawaz Sharif by mid of January next year.
NEWSMAN sent a questionnaire to Maryam Aurangzeb, PMLN spokesperson for comments on the issue on December 27, 2021, but she did not respond to it till filing of this story.