ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice of the Islamabad High Court (IHC), Justice Sardar Sarfraz Dogar, has clarified his remarks regarding rights activist and lawyer Imaan Mazari.
A heated exchange between the Justice Sarfraz Dogar and Imaan place during the hearing of a plea filed on behalf of rights activist Dr Mahrang Baloch on Thursday, who has been in custody since March.
The judge warned Imaan Mazari of a contempt of court case for allegedly calling him a “dictator”.
On Friday, during the hearing of another case, the Chief Justice on Friday said that Imaan Mazari is like a daughter to him.
“As Chief Justice and as an elder, I was only advising her. My words were taken out of context and turned into a controversy,” he remarked.
IHC CJ warns Imaan Mazari of contempt over ‘dictator’ remark
Justice Dogar said, “I had stated that one may disagree with my decisions, but personal attacks should not be made.
When Advocate Hadi, her husband, was present, I said she should be taken away otherwise I would initiate contempt proceedings. I never said I would grab her.”
He added that if contempt proceedings had been initiated, it could have damaged her career.
“I explained to her like a child, but she kept repeating the phrase ‘fundamental rights’. Does this court not have fundamental rights as well?”
The Chief Justice stressed that his remarks were misrepresented, while his intention was only to advise.
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