IHC Summons Lawyer, Journalist, Commentator in Contempt Case Over Alleged Social Media Campaign Against Judge
On May 25, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) took legal action against a lawyer, a journalist, and a commentator, summoning them in a contempt of court case triggered by allegations of a targeted social media campaign against senior IHC judge Mohsin Akhtar Kayani. The court also directed the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) to submit transcripts of interviews given by the lawyer in question.
A three-judge bench headed by IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq issued notices to lawyer Waqas Malik, journalist Matiullah Jan, and commentator Talat Hussain, requiring them to respond to the allegations. The case stems from Justice Kayani’s letter to the Chief Justice, raising concerns about an ongoing social media campaign to malign him. This follows a similar complaint filed by another IHC judge, Justice Babar Sattar, regarding a separate online campaign against him.
This development comes after the IHC issued a statement in April denouncing an online campaign against Justice Sattar, which involved the circulation of his personal information and allegations regarding his dual nationality. The IHC clarified that Justice Sattar’s US Green Card was obtained through legal means and did not affect his Pakistani citizenship.
Justices Kayani and Sattar were among a group of IHC judges who expressed concerns to the Supreme Judicial Council in March about alleged interference by executive members, including intelligence operatives, in judicial matters.
In response to the allegations, the court has directed the involved parties to submit their replies by the next hearing, scheduled for May 30. PEMRA has also been instructed to prepare and submit transcripts of Waqas Malik’s interviews to the court before the next hearing.
The court has appointed senior journalist Hamid Mir, president of the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists, and senior advocates Ahmed Bilal Soofi and Syed Ahmed Hassan as “amici curiae,” or friends of the court, to provide expertise and assistance.
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