ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa on Monday complained that the Supreme Court’s name was used to initiate a case against vlogger Asad Toor and pointed out irregularities in the First Information Report (FIR) registered by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA).
“The inquiry notice [sent to Asad Toor] stated that he is being summoned for an investigation related to the anti-judicial campaign, while the FIR did not even mention it,” CJP Isa said.
The chief justice’s remarks came during the hearing of a suo motu case heard by a three-judge SC bench comprising CJP, Justice Muhammed Ali Mazhar and Justice Mussarat Hilali regarding harassment of journalists over FIA summons in a joint session. The Investigation Team (JIT) is probing the anti-judicial campaign.
It is pertinent to know that on January 17, the then caretaker government formed the SVT to find out the facts behind the malicious social media campaign against the SC judges after the Supreme Court gave its verdict on the electoral symbol of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf. (PTI).
However, the court then took cognizance of the FIA’s summons, sent to various journalists, and barred the agency from taking action against people for their criticism of the Supreme Court.
However, the FIA arrested Toor in connection with the smear campaign against the SC and CJP on February 26 and the journalist is currently in the custody of the agency.
During today’s hearing, advocate Salahuddin Ahmed – who is representing the Supreme Court Press Association (PAS) and the Islamabad High Court Journalists Association (IHCJA) – informed the court that Toor is currently in jail.
“Why is he in jail?” asked the CJP.
Citing the FIR registered against the journalist, the lawyer further urged the court to declare the government’s notification regarding setting up of the JIT as “null and void”.
The Chief Justice then questioned the applicability and relevance of the allegations contained in the FIR registered against Toor, including those relating to “sensitive information”.
CJP Isa pointed out the discrepancies in the FIA notification and the FIR against Toor: “Neither SC judge nor registrar filed any complaint with the FIA”.
“FIA officials are corrupting the judiciary,” the chief justice remarked, lamenting the prospect of tarnishing the judges’ public image.
“Why shouldn’t we send the FIA a contempt of court notice?” he asked.
Moreover, the Chief Justice condemned the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Islamabad for not reporting any progress and arresting the culprits.
“You couldn’t track down the accused despite the video evidence? It’s been four years, how much time do you need?
Journalists’ harassment case SC comes down hard on IG Islamabad
