Tag: Saqib Nisar

  • ‘His daughter [Maryam Nawaz] doesn’t merit a sentence, still we will have to do it’: Alleged audio tape of CJP Nisar

    ‘His daughter [Maryam Nawaz] doesn’t merit a sentence, still we will have to do it’: Alleged audio tape of CJP Nisar

    Leaked audio of conversation allegedly claims that former Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Saqib Nisar was the person who passed on the directions of handing down conviction to Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Mian Nawaz Sharif and his daughter, Maryam Nawaz only because the “institutions” wanted the former prime minister penalised in order to bring ahead Imran Khan, reports Ahmed Noorani for Fact Focus.

    As per the leaked audio, Chief Justice Nisar instructed that Mian Sahib (Nawaz Sharif) and his daughter (Maryam Nawaz) must be sentenced even though it is unfair.

    “Whether it is fair or not, it has to be done,” he conveyed to the person on the other end.

    “Regardless of the merit, we will have to do it (sentence Nawaz Sharif), and even to his daughter,” said Justice Nisar.

    When the person he was conversing with objected that a sentence cannot be passed against the daughter, Chief Justice Nisar replied, “You are absolutely correct. I did talk to ‘friends’ that something be done about this but they did not agree.”

    He went on to say, “there will remain no independence of the judiciary, so let it be”.

    While speaking to Fact Focus, Justice Saqib Nisar said that he never contacted any judge of accountability court to order him to pass any verdict against Nawaz Sharif or his daughter. “Why I would do that,” Saqib Nisar questioned adding, “I have no grudges against Mian Nawaz Sharif.” He said that no one from the Pakistan Army or the ISI ever contacted him or pressured him on this count.

    Reacting to the development, PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif tweeted, “Time has come to right the wrongs inflicted on them. The nation looks forward to [the] justice system.”

    Maryam Nawaz tweeted: “Allah u Akbar [God is great].”

    Fact Focus obtained this audio some two months ago and had it examined by a leading American firm specialising in multimedia forensics. Garret Discovery has a team of leading experts who have a long experience of analysing and presenting evidence and testifying before courts in the United States (US). The firm’s analysis report certifies the integrity of the audio file and states that “this audio has not been edited in any way”.

    Former Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Saqib Nisar was earlier accused by former Chief Judge (CJ) of the apex court of Gilgit Baltistan Rana M Shamim in a signed affidavit wrote that he is a witness to CJP Nisar’s direction to a high court judge, to not release Nawaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz on bail at any cost before the 2018 general elections.

  • ‘Zaalim ki pakar bohat sakht hoti hai’, Maryam Nawaz criticises PM Khan

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Vice President Maryam Nawaz appeared before the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Wednesday for her appeal hearing regarding the annulment of her conviction in the Avenfield apartments reference case.

    After the hearing, while talking to the media, Maryam said, “The man who had announced the conviction [in the Al Azizia reference] gave a statement expressing the truth about Nawaz Sharif in his life.”

    “Today we have the third major testimony from within the judiciary after the testimonies of late accountability judge Arshad Malik and former Justice of the Islamabad High Court Shaukat Aziz,” said Maryam.

    “Zaalim ki pakar bohat sakht hoti hai‘ (The punishment of a cruel person is very severe)”, said Maryam, adding, “They knew that the oppressors’ days [government] were numbered but didn’t expect the truth would come to light so soon.”

    “I respect Ansar Abbasi, he is a credible journalist. Truth is not an insult,” she added while saying that Ansar has also spoken against PML-N.

    “Whatever [Prime Minister] Imran Khan is doing to us that is all because of [Ex- Chief Justice of Pakistan] Saqib Nisar. He is the one who gave him ‘Sadiq and Amin’ title,” Maryam said and demanded a free and fair election.

    Talking about her hearing, Maryam Nawaz said that the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has asked for two weeks’ extension.

    Maryam filed a new appeal on October 5 in the IHC seeking annulment of the verdict in the reference.

    A day earlier, upon a question related to Maryam Nawaz’s petition, former President Asif Ali Zardari said he would not talk about it and referred to Maryam as his “daughter“.

    Zardari said, “Maryam Nawaz is like a daughter to me. What comment should I make on my daughter?”

    According to a copy of the petition available with Dawn, Maryam’s latest application was filed “in consequence of certain extremely relevant, simple and clear-cut facts which have come to light after the pronouncement of judgment and sentence” in the case.

    In the petition, Maryam stated that the entire proceedings that resulted in her conviction were a “classic example of outright violations of law and political engineering hitherto unheard of in the history of Pakistan”.

    In a hearing on October 13, her lawyer had argued that legal procedure was not followed in the reference. After the hearing, the court had directed NAB to present its arguments at the next hearing. The case was adjourned until November 17 (today).

  • ‘Those who brought Khan now admit they made a mistake’: Asif Ali Zardari

    ‘Those who brought Khan now admit they made a mistake’: Asif Ali Zardari

    Former president Asif Ali Zardari on Tuesday while speaking to reporters during his appearance at an accountability court said, “Those who brought Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan are now admitting that they committed a mistake,” adding that they are now figuring out how to undo that mistake.

    “Only Allah knows best how they can fix this mistake,” said Zardari.

    When asked a question relating to Maryam Nawaz’s petition which was similar to that of former PM Benazir Bhutto, Zardari said he would not talk about it as “Maryam Nawaz is like a daughter to me. What comment should I make on my daughter?”

    Replying to a question about ex-chief justice Gilgit-Baltistan Rana Shamim’s affidavit, the former president said: “We have already seen this. Justice Qayyum had a tape with Saif-ur-Rehman and some friends as well.”

    A division bench of the Islamabad High Court comprising IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah and Justice Amir Farooq heard the National Accountability Bureau’s (NAB) appeal against Zardari’s gold reference and Ursus tractors deal.

  • Ex-CJ GB’s son asked for permission to play ‘video’ in Saqib Nisar case

    Ex-CJ GB’s son asked for permission to play ‘video’ in Saqib Nisar case

    The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday issued show-cause notices during a hearing of the case relating to the allegations against ex-Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Saqib Nisar by former Chief Judge of Gilgit-Baltistan Justice (retd) Rana Shamim.

    During the hearing, apologising for his father’s absence, Justice Shamim’s son asked the court staff for permission to play a ‘video’ in the courtroom.

    The video was in relevance to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Senator Faisal Vawda’s comments where he said that Rana Shamim, should be beaten up in public.

    However, the court refused to include it in the case and told Shamim’s lawyer to file a separate appeal.

    Senator Vawda, while speaking on ARY News’ programme, Off the Record’, said: “These retired and retarded judges who are maligning courts and judiciary should be beaten up in public. They are paving the way for chaos in society. They are maligning the noble and honest judges and dragging Pakistan towards anarchy. That is why it is important to punish them.”

    “It is questionable why their conscience woke up after three years,” said Vawda and asked as to why they did not react at the time when it happened.

    The senator further said that there were many like them in all the departments who wake up to the call of their conscience after retirement and labelled them “shameless, and disgraceful”.

    Describing Rana Shamim as a ‘bhagora’ [absconder], Vawda said, “He is an absconder, for filing an affidavit in London after retirement,” adding, “there are places where a layman goes for justice, honest judges are present there who have a career ahead of them, and then you malign them.”

    “You pit one institution against the other, you malign the military, certain elements are acting on behalf of hostile countries were maligning the institutions and pitting them against the other,” said Vawda.

    Vawda asked whether there was a video or it was money that stirred his [Rana Shamim’s] conscience, adding, “He was appointed by former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in 2015 and benefitted throughout. His son was also made the advocate general. If a common thief is disgraced and criticised, then a judge who scandalises the judiciary and honest judges cannot be awarded for it. He is acting like a pimp.”

    Anchorperson Kashif Abbasi interjected and said, “I am saying this again to kindly mind your words. These are judges we are talking about, this is not how it works. Don’t do that, don’t do that.”

    “These retired and retarded judges who are maligning courts and judiciary should be beaten up in public,” asserted Vawda.

  • ‘What can you say, you have already caused the harm you had to cause’: Athar Minallah grills Ansar Abbasi on Saqib Nisar affidavit

    ‘What can you say, you have already caused the harm you had to cause’: Athar Minallah grills Ansar Abbasi on Saqib Nisar affidavit

    The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday issued show-cause notices during a hearing of the case related to the allegations against ex-Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Saqib Nisar by former chief justice (CJ) of Gilgit-Baltistan Justice (retd) Rana Shamim, reports Geo Urdu.

    Shamim’s lawyer appeared before the court on his behalf and informed that Justice Shamim wasn’t feeling. He said Shamim’s brother had passed away.

    IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah called Mir Shakil- ur-Rahman, editor-in-chief Jang, to the rostrum.

    “I have summoned you with a heavy heart,” Athar Minallah said, adding that there is a difference between social media and newspapers and that a newspaper has an editorial policy and editorial control.

    “The judges of this court are accountable and face criticism,” Justice Minallah said, adding that if the people do not trust the judiciary, there will be chaos in society.

    Justice Minallah said: “Please hold us [judges] accountable, but don’t create controversies.”

    IHC chief justice directed journalist Ansar Abbasi to read out the headline of his story published in The News.

    “Do you think the judges of our court take instructions from anyone?” Justice Minallah questioned, saying that this affidavit is not part of any judicial record.

    At this, Abbasi asked if he could say something.

    “What can you say, you have already caused the harm you had to cause,” the IHC CJ responded.

    After being allowed to speak in court, Abbasi said he respects the IHC chief justice and the story was his and so if the court wants to take any action, it should be against him.

    “The editor and editor-in-chief are not to be blamed in this matter,” said Abbasi, adding that this was not his statement and that it belonged to the former chief justice of the Supreme Court of Gilgit-Baltistan.

    “I am a journalist, my job is to convey the message. I also confirmed this from Justice Shamim,” he added.

    Abbasi further added that he did not even mention the name of the high court judge in his story.

    However, Justice Minallah said that this charge has been levelled against the court, it has been alleged that [the] High Court takes directions from others. “We will not compromise on the dignity of this court.”

    “We had no such intention as you think,” Justice Minallah told Abbasi, adding that it is constantly being reported that it was said that do not release them [Nawaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz] before the election.

    He also asked Abbasi whether he had checked who was part of the bench hearing the cases against the PML-N leaders, adding that he and Justice Aamer Farooq were abroad when the appeal was filed and the case was fixed for hearing.

    “Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani and Justice Miangul Hassan were present in the country at the time. Did you inquire about this from the high court registrar?”

    He observed that noted lawyers were part of the case against the PML-N leaders. “Did you ask them if they had requested a date before the general elections?”

    He said that Khawaja Haris was the petitioner at the time. “Did you check with him about the bench hearing the case?”

    “If another judge spoke like this in front of me I would get in touch with the Supreme Judicial Council,” he said.

    “A person witnesses the CJP asking someone to commit a crime. The person stays silent for three years and an affidavit concerning the incident surfaces. How can a newspaper publish such a document?” he asked.

    Earlier it was reported that on directions of the ex-CJP Saqib Nisar, a high court judge did not release Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz on bail at any cost before the 2018 general elections. A news report was published in The News, based on a signed affidavit of the ex-CJ Gilgit Baltistan.

    “Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz Sharif must remain in jail until the general elections are over. On assurances from the other side, he (Saqib Nisar) became calm and happily demanded another cup of tea,” said the affidavit.

    The affidavit contains the signature of the ex-CJ of Gilgit Baltistan as well as an image of his CNIC. The notary public stamped the affidavit and recorded that it was “sworn under oath before me” on November 10, 2021.

  • ‘If Nawaz Sharif can go to jail, so can Saqib Nisar’: Shahid Khaqan Abbasi

    ‘If Nawaz Sharif can go to jail, so can Saqib Nisar’: Shahid Khaqan Abbasi

    “If Nawaz Sharif can go to jail, so can Saqib Nisar,” said Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Shahid Khaqan Abbasi at a press conference in Islamabad.

    Abbasi was addressing the media along with Khawaja Asif after the claims of former Chief Judge (CJ) of the apex court of Gilgit Baltistan Rana M Shamim came to light. Justice Shamim, in a signed affidavit, wrote that he is a witness to the then Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Saqib Nisar’s direction to a high court judge not to release Nawaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz on bail at any cost before the 2018 general elections.

    “I pray that Nisar is not involved in this act. Getting involved in the country’s affairs is unconstitutional […] Nisar had visited hospitals and tried to build dams, thus we have to believe Rana Shamim’s statement,” said Shahid Khaqan Abbasi.

    “Three people, including Rana Shamin and Saqib Nisar, are aware of the facts, but the people of Pakistan should also know the truth. If someone meddles with elections, so don’t we hold the right to question them?” he said.

    Khawaja Asif said that the PML-N would raise Shamim’s allegations in parliament, as he had recorded his statement “without any pressure”.

    Meanwhile, Saqib Nisar said he didn’t want to respond to the “white lies” of the ex-GB chief justice.

    “I have never spoken to anybody or any high court judge in connection to any matter related to Mian sahab,” he said.

    Nisar said that Shamim had asked him for an extension but he didn’t accept his request, adding that the ex-GB CJ had also complained to him about the same.

  • Islamabad High Court takes notice of the allegations against former CJP Saqib Nisar

    Islamabad High Court takes notice of the allegations against former CJP Saqib Nisar

    The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday took notice of the claims of former Chief Judge (CJ) of the apex court of Gilgit Baltistan Rana M Shamim, who in a signed affidavit wrote that he is a witness to the then Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Saqib Nisar’s direction to a high court judge not to release Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) chief Nawaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz on bail at any cost before the 2018 general elections.

    Meanwhile, Saqib Nisar said he didn’t want to respond to the “white lies” of the ex-GB chief justice.

    “I have never spoken to anybody or any high court judge in connection to any matter related to Mian sahab,” he said, reports Dawn.

    Nisar said that Shamim had asked him for an extension but he didn’t accept his request, adding that the ex-GB CJ had also complained to him about the same.

    When asked why he had not issued a public statement on the matter, he replied: “Why should I? […] I don’t want to stoop to his level.”

    Reacting to the story, Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry tweeted, “Jokes in the name of news are being circulated in the country to prove that Nawaz Sharif is a victim.”

    PML-N Information Secretary Marriyum Aurangzeb tweeted, “This affidavit of the former Chief Justice of Gilgit-Baltistan is a testimony against this heinous crime.”

    On the other hand, IHC has issued a contempt notice to Jang/ Geo CEO Mir Shakil and senior journalist Ansar Abbasi, for publishing the news report against the former Chief Justice of Pakistan.

  • ‘Saqib Nisar directed not to release Nawaz, Maryam before 2018 elections’: Ex-Chief Justice GB

    ‘Saqib Nisar directed not to release Nawaz, Maryam before 2018 elections’: Ex-Chief Justice GB

    The former Chief Judge (CJ) of the apex court of Gilgit Baltistan Rana M Shamim in a signed affidavit wrote that he is a witness to the then Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Saqib Nisar’s direction to a high court judge not to release Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz on bail at any cost before the 2018 general elections, reports Ansar Abbasi for The News.

    “Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz Sharif must remain in jail until the general elections are over. On assurances from the other side, he (Saqib Nisar) became calm and happily demanded another cup of tea,” said the affidavit.

    The affidavit contains the signature of the ex-CJ of Gilgit Baltistan as well as an image of his CNIC. The notary public stamped the affidavit and recorded that it was “sworn under oath before me” on November 10, 2021.

    The report edited the name of the High Court justice who talked to Saqib Nisar at that time.

    “In July 2018 while I was serving as the Chief Judge of the Supreme Appellate Court of Gilgit Baltistan, Justice Mian Saqib Nisar, the then Chief Justice of Pakistan, came to Gilgit for vacations along with 27 family members and stayed in the guest house of the court,” said the affidavit.

    “That one evening when I, my late wife, the Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar and his wife were taking tea in the lawn, I found the Chief Justice of Pakistan to be very disturbed and continued talking on the phone to his registrar, directing him to go to the residence of Justice —— of —— and request him to immediately call him (the CJP).”

    “That in case his call does not get through, then convey to him on his (Mian Saqib Nisar’s) behalf that Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz Sharif must not be released on bail before the general elections at any cost,” read the chief justice’s affidavit.

    “That shortly afterwards he also spoke to Justice —— directly and told him that Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz Sharif must remain in jail until the general elections are over. On assurance from the other side, he became calm and happily demanded another cup of tea.”

    “I, as his colleague and host, requested him to spend his vacations with his family in Gilgit Baltistan and then asked him why he conveyed such a message to Justice —– and for what. He said, ‘Rana Sahib you will never understand. You must treat it as if you never heard anything.’ I told him in the presence of my late wife and his wife that Mian Nawaz Sharif has been falsely implicated and his sentence and that of Maryam Nawaz were both managed as was evident from his phone calls. He was initially disturbed to hear that but then relaxed again and said, ‘Rana Sahib the chemistry of Punjab is different from Gilgit Baltistan’.”

    “That whatever is stated voluntarily herein above constitutes the complete truth,” concluding the document with the signature of Ex Cheif Justice Rana M Shamim.

    PML-N leader Maryam Nawaz took to Twitter yesterday and hinted at the revelation of this story by tweeting, “What is real happiness? To be vindicated in one’s own lifetime.”

    Reacting to the story, PML-N president Shehbaz Sharif tweeted, “It’s yet another vindication of Nawaz Sharif & Maryam in the court of public opinion.”