Court summons Nawaz, Cyril Almeida over Mumbai attack statement

Author: Staff Report

LAHORE: Lahore High Court on Monday sought personal appearance of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on October 8 in a petition seeking action against him, former PM Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and journalist Cyril Almeida on charges of high treason.

While the country’s constitution and laws define treason as an offence involving abrogation or subversion of the constitution, and sedition as bringing into hatred or contempt the federal or provincial government, the plea filed by Amina Malik, who identifies with an obscure Civil Society Network, neither.

It concerns Sharif’s statements on Mumbai attack in an interview given to Almeida, printed this year on May 11 edition of daily Dawn. In the interview, the former premier had resonated with the position held by many who seek a complete end to the policy of keeping non-state proxies in the country when he said, “Militant organisations are active in the country. Call them non-state actors, should we allow them to cross the borders and kill 150 people in Mumbai?”

Regarding Abbasi, the plea, submitted on behalf of Malik by Advocate Azhar Siddique, contended that he violated the oath of his office by meeting Sharif and sharing details of a meeting of the National Security Committee convened to discuss the May 11 interview and its fallout.

The only instance of treason in the country for which a suspect can be tried at the moment is the state of emergency imposed by General (retd) Pervaiz Musharraf during his decade-long rule. The progress in the case remains slow, as Musharraf has been allowed to escape abroad. During the hearing of Malik’s plea on Monday, the LHC bench, comprising Justice Syed Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi, Justice Atir Mahmood and Justice Chaudhry Masood Jahangir, also summoned Almeida at the next hearing on October 8, directing the authorities concerned to issue non-bailable arrest warrants for the journalist to ensure his presence in the court. Almeida had apparently been unable to appear in the court in the last two hearings.

Islamabad Operations DIG was directed to ensure the journalist’s presence in the court. During the proceedings, Abbasi appeared before the bench while his counsel Naseer Ahmed Bhutta apologised on behalf of the former prime minister for his failure to appear on the previous hearings.

On court’s query, Bhutta said that Nawaz Sharif was unable to visit the court until the end of the tradition 40-day period of mourning following his wife Begum Kulsoon Nawaz’s death. The bench remarked that Sharif would have to attend the court at least once to avail personal exemption in accordance with the law. Bhutta assured the bench that Sharif would make an appearance for the purpose on the next date of hearing, on October 8.

On his turn, petitioner’ counsel Azhar Siddique pleaded that former federal minister Ahsan Iqbal had once again committed contempt of court by uttering derogatory remarks. The bench remarked that it would adjudicate upon the matter as per the law if a petition would be moved on this subject.

HRCP condemns issuance of arrest warrants for AlmeidaA5

Published in Daily Times, September 25th 2018.

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