Islamabad High Court Initiates Contempt Proceedings Against State Institutions

An expanded bench of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) comprising Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani, Justice Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri, and Justice Sardar Ejaz Ishaq Khan has taken a significant step by initiating contempt proceedings against various state institutions and individuals involved in a smear social media campaign targeting Justice Babar Sattar. This move comes in response to concerns raised over the leaking of confidential data and malicious campaigns on social media aimed at pressuring Justice Sattar, who is presiding over a case.

The bench has served notices to the attorney general office, Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra), Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), and other spy agencies, demanding reports on the matter. Justice Kayani emphasized the importance of safeguarding personal information and highlighted the potential involvement of state institutions in the data leak or hacking incidents.

In a separate development, Chief Justice Aamer Farooq led another bench that heard a contempt case related to a social media campaign against Justice Kayani. Notices were issued to individuals and media authorities involved in the campaign, with senior anchorperson Hamid Mir and others appointed as amicus curiae to assist in the proceedings.

The false claim circulating on social media alleging that Justice Sattar held American citizenship was refuted by the IHC in a press release. The court clarified that Justice Sattar is a Pakistani citizen, along with his family members who hold citizenship in both Pakistan and the US. The release strongly condemned the defamatory campaign and emphasized the risks associated with posting confidential information online.

The Islamabad High Court's proactive stance against the misuse of social media to target judges underscores the importance of upholding judicial integrity and protecting individuals from baseless attacks. By initiating contempt proceedings and issuing notices to relevant authorities, the court has sent a clear message that such actions will not be tolerated. This case serves as a reminder of the need to respect privacy and refrain from spreading false information online, highlighting the significance of responsible behavior in the digital age.