Justice Sattar Faces Online Contempt Allegations

The Islamabad High Court Chief Justice Aamer Farooq is contemplating the formation of a larger bench to address a potential contempt case following a social media campaign targeting Justice Babar Sattar. This development comes after Justice Sattar sought contempt proceedings from CJ Farooq due to the online disclosure of personal information, including details about his family's US residence permits.

The breach of privacy extended to Justice Sattar's family members, with their identity cards and permanent residency card being shared on social media platforms. In response, the IHC's public relations office issued a statement condemning the social media campaign as 'false, malicious, and contemptuous'. The campaign alleged that Justice Sattar had undisclosed assets in both Pakistan and the US, a claim refuted by the IHC, which clarified that he holds only Pakistani nationality.

Justice Sattar, who previously practiced law in New York and obtained a green card, returned to Pakistan in 2005 and has resided and worked there ever since. Notably, Justice Sattar is among six IHC judges who have expressed concerns about potential interference in judicial matters by the country's intelligence agencies.

In conclusion, the situation underscores the importance of safeguarding the privacy and integrity of judicial officials. The IHC's swift response to the social media campaign highlights the need to address such malicious attacks promptly to uphold the dignity of the judiciary and protect individuals from unwarranted scrutiny.