IHC Judges Initiate Contempt Proceedings Against Social Media Smear Campaign

Two senior judges of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) have taken a strong stance against individuals involved in a social media smear campaign by initiating contempt proceedings. This move comes in response to false claims circulating on social media platforms targeting the reputations of Justice Babar Sattar and Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani.

Justice Sattar and Justice Kayani, in a letter to IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq, requested contempt proceedings against those responsible for the smear campaign. The IHC has formed separate larger benches to address the matter effectively. One bench, led by IHC CJ Farooq along with Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb and Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir, will handle the social media campaign against Justice Kayani. Another bench, comprising Justice Kayani, Justice Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri, and Justice Sardar Ejaz Ishaq Khan, will address the contempt of court case related to the social media attacks on Justice Sattar.

The high court has treated the letter as a contempt of court case after assigning it a diary number. The social media campaign falsely alleged that Justice Sattar held American citizenship, a claim refuted by the IHC in a press release on April 28. The court clarified that Justice Sattar is a citizen of Pakistan and condemned the 'defamatory and baseless' campaign against him.

Further revelations indicated that Justice Sattar's wife and children are dual citizens of Pakistan and the US, residing in Islamabad since his appointment as an IHC judge. The court expressed serious concerns over the online dissemination of Justice Sattar's confidential information, including his family's travel documents.

The Islamabad High Court's decisive action against the social media smear campaign underscores the importance of upholding judicial integrity and protecting the dignity of judges. Such baseless attacks not only harm the individuals targeted but also undermine the credibility of the judiciary. It is crucial for all stakeholders to respect the rule of law and refrain from spreading false information that can tarnish the reputation of esteemed members of the legal community.