The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has dismissed contempt of court proceedings against former Chief Judge of Gilgit-Baltistan Rana Shamim and others in connection with the Panama Papers case, ruling that the matter had become infructuous.According to details, the IHC had taken up the case related to Rana Shamim’s alleged affidavit, in which he reportedly made statements in favour of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, which was published by journalist Ansar Abbasi in a national newspaper.

IHC Chief Justice Sarfraz Dogar heard the case on Monday. Former CJ Rana Shamim did not appear in court; however, Advocate Aamir Abdullah represented Ansar Abbasi and the owner of the newspaper, Mir Shakil-ur-Rahma, during the hearing.Aamir Abdullah informed the court that Rana Shamim had earlier submitted a written apology, and since the matter had not been re-listed afterward, the case had effectively become redundant.

The Deputy Attorney General also confirmed that the charge was only to be framed against Rana Shamim, but he had submitted an apology during the last hearings. Chief Justice Dogar remarked that since the case had lost relevance, it should be concluded. The court subsequently disposed of the contempt proceedings on the grounds of being ineffective.The contempt case had originally been initiated by then-IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah, who took suo motu notice after the publication of Rana Shamim’s affidavit concerning the Panama Papers verdict.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)