ISLAMABAD: A five-member Supreme Court special bench headed by Justice Umar Ata Bandial on Monday conducted the hearing of terminated judge of Islamabad High Court Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui.
During the hearing, Justice Sardar Tariq Masood asked Shaukat why he didn’t issue a contempt notice to any generals who came to meet him at his residence.
“Attempt to influence an Islamabad High Court judge comes under contempt of court,” Justice Tariq remarked.
He further said that the former judge did not even inform any chief justice.
“Tell me if this was not your misconduct,” he questioned.
To this, Shaukat’s counsel Hamid Khan replied that his client can’t be fired just because he didn’t issue a contempt of court notice to the general but added that the former judge did write a letter to the chief justice.
Hamid Khan argued that contempt of court notice should have been given by the Supreme Court to influence a judge.
“The general met you [Shaukat] on June 28, 2018, and you wrote a letter to the Chief Justice on July 31, 2018. Why did you wait for a month,” Justice Tariq Masood inquired.
Shaukat later came to the rostrum to clarify his stance.
“The then head of the SC, Saqib Nisar was after me,” he told the court.
He further said that having served as a lawyer for 23 years and seven years as a judge he understood the system very well.
Justice Umar Ata Bandial, irked by the statement, said: “Hamid Khan sahib, you have deliberately remained silent. When your client mocked this court, you remained silent.”
Justice Umar Ata Bandial remarked that the way your client [Shaukat] represented in the court was substandard in every way. Hamid Khan encouraged Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui by remaining silent.
To this Shaukat Aziz’s lawyer Hamid Khan replied: “I am sorry, emotions often get in the way.”
Justice Omar Atta remarked that emotions have no place here. We did not like this style at all. You keep allowing your client to ridicule the court.
Justice Mazhar Alam Mian Khel told the counsel to avoid talking when his lawyer was present.
