Islamabad High Court (IHC) Chief Justice (CJ) Athar Minallah on Monday questioned former Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed if he trusted the IHC.
Justice Minallah said that it seemed as if the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) did not have faith in the courts.
“It is said in rallies that courts are not independent. Political statements are made at rallies questioning why courts opened at night. It is said that the courts open at the behest of someone,” he said.
IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah heard the petition of the former interior minister against the appointment of Hanif Abbasi as a Special Assistant to Prime Minister (SAPM), with Sheikh Rasheed appearing before the court on Monday.
The IHC CJ summoned Rasheed to the rostrum and said, “These courts are for everyone. Perhaps, people don’t believe this.”
“Important cases of this country are being heard in this court,” he said, further telling Rasheed that the IHC would hear his plea if he had faith in his court. Justice Minallah said important and big cases are pending in the high court, like the cases of missing persons and Baloch students.
“There are other courts and judges who, too, can hear your cases. But if Imran Khan does not have faith [in this court] … I will refer the case to another court,” he stated.
“If you have faith in it, then this court would hear your case. Also, ask the PTI chairperson about this,” Justice Minallah said, adding that the courts had been “issuing judgements for the weak”.
“Your lawyers must have told you that there are rules and the chief justice can take up a case at any time,” CJ IHC told Rasheed.
Rasheed said that he had appeared before the court because he had faith in it. “I will talk to Imran Khan,” added Rasheed.
Justice Minallah said, “One should have the respect for the judiciary in their heart.” He then told Rasheed to “decide by tomorrow” whether he had faith in his court.
At that, Rasheed asserted that he was already decided on the matter.
“I have been a minister 16 times and that is why I have appeared before the court,” said Rasheed.
IHC directs PM Shehbaz to review Hanif Abbasi’s appointment as SAPM
IHC on Monday directed Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to review his decision of appointing Hanif Abbasi as his special assistant.
Rasheed had filed the petition challenging Abbasi’s appointment on May 6.
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