Social media posts case: IHC raises objections over failure to submit certified copies of SC order

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday raised objections over the non-submission of certified copies of Supreme Court orders during the hearing of miscellaneous petitions seeking early hearing of appeals filed by convicted human rights lawyers Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir and Hadi Ali Chattha in the controversial social media posts case. Justice Muhammad Azam Khan heard the petitions seeking fixation of the sentence suspension petitions at an early date in light of directions issued earlier by the SC directing the IHC to decide the plea within a fortnight. Senior lawyer Faisal Siddiqi appeared before the court on behalf of the couple on Tuesday. Former president of the Islamabad High Court Bar Association (IHCBA) Riasat Ali Azad, District Bar President Chaudhry Naeem Gujjar, former federal minister and Imaan’s mother Shireen Mazari and other lawyers were also present in the courtroom during the proceedings. At the outset of the hearing, Siddiqi informed the court that miscellaneous petitions had been filed for the early hearing of the sentence suspension pleas. He submitted that the SC had already directed the IHC to decide the matter within two weeks. Justice Khan, however, observed that the court had not yet received a certified copy of the SC order. “You should read the SC order. I do not have the order before me,” the judge remarked. Siddiqi responded that a copy of the apex court’s order had been attached to the miscellaneous petitions. The judge then pointed out that the SC order specifically mentioned that the two-week period would commence after receipt of the certified copy. “We have not received the certified order yet. Do you have one?” Justice Khan asked. The counsel replied in the affirmative and offered to hand over the copy during the hearing. However, the judge declined to accept it directly and directed the lawyer to place it on record through the court office. “This is not the proper way to submit an order. You sho...

Original source: Dawn Pakistan