Maryam disapproves ‘dual standards’ of justice after IHC hearing

Responding to Islamabad High Court’s (IHC) observations in a contempt of court case against PTI Chairman Imran Khan, PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz on Wednesday said that the ‘relaxations’ provided to the former premier only further proved before the nation the ‘injustices’ done to former premier Nawaz Sharif and her party.

Maryam sarcastically said that the punishment of contempt should be handed over to Additional and Sessions Judge Zeba Chaudhry, who “insulted” Imran Khan by serving justice. “Dual standard of justice is unacceptable,” she added.

Earlier in the day, IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah expressed his disappointment over Imran Khan’s written response in a contempt case and ordered a second reply to be submitted in seven days.

A five-member larger bench headed by CJ Minallah heard the case earlier today. The bench included Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani, Justice Mian Gul Hasan Aurangzeb, Justice Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri and Justice Babar Sattar.

During the proceedings, the CJ said “we have read your written response” before adding that he “did not expect what was stated” about the lower court judges.

“I was expecting that the mistake made would have been admitted,” continued the judge as he expressed his disappointment.

 

The judge stated that the courts have taken up “sensitive matters” including “torture” and “enforced disappearances”. Reflecting on the seriousness of contempt against the court, he added that judges responsible for upholding justice in serious matters “were opened to criticism”, particularly when Imran “questioned why the court was opened at midnight”.

Meanwhile, Imran Khan has sought the dismissal of terrorism charges levelled against him over the same speech.

Imran had been booked in a terrorism case on the complaint of Islamabad Saddar Magistrate Ali Javed for threatening the additional sessions judge of the federal capital, Zeba Chaudhry.