LAHORE: A full bench of the Lahore High Court (LHC) on Monday ordered former prime ministers Nawaz Sharif and Shahid Khaqan Abbasi to submit their replies till October 22 to a petition seeking action against them under treason charges for allegedly trying to defame state institutions in an interview to an English daily over 26/11 Mumbai attacks.
The bench comprising Justice Syed Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi, Justice Atir Mahmood and Justice Chaudhry Masood Jahangir directed the attorney general to come up with detailed report on the petition till next date of hearing.
Moreover, the court also issued a notice to the Defence Ministry secretary to submit a reply.
As the proceedings commenced, the bench inquired as to why journalist Cyril Almeida did not appear despite issuance of notices. The counsel for Almeida replied that he had not received summons from the court. However, Almeida, who had conducted the interview of Nawaz, appeared before the court, following which the bench withdrew the non-bailable arrest warrant that had been issued during previous proceedings to ensure his attendance. The court also directed removal of Almeida’s name from the Exit Control List.
The bench sought a detailed reply from the federal government, informing the court of the steps the Cabinet Division had taken against former premiers under Article 6 of the constitution.
Amina Malik of the Civil Society Network had filed the petition, seeking action against Nawaz for allegedly defaming the country as well as action against Abbasi for allegedly not honouring his oath of the office by disclosing the minutes of a National Security Council (NSC) meeting to Nawaz.
During the hearing, both Nawaz and Abbasi also appeared.
The bench also inquired from the deputy attorney general whether the Cabinet Division had taken any step over the controversial interview. The deputy attorney general replied that the matter was related to the (Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority PEMRA). The bench then remarked that it was the federal government’s task to take steps under the Article 6 of the constitution.
Counsel for petitioner Muhammad Azhar Siddique contended that Nawaz during his interview on May 11 this year gave a statement that “those who attacked a hotel in Mumbai were actually belonged to Pakistan”.
He submitted that a meeting of the National Security Council (NSC) was held to discuss the “misleading” media statement of the convicted prime minister and after the meeting then prime minister Abbasi met Nawaz only to convey him the concerns of the military leadership and minutes of the meeting.
He pointed out that the act of Abbasi was a clear violation of his oath as he was bound not to allow his personal interest to influence his official conduct.
He said that the disqualified premier had committed sedition by rejecting the statement of the NSC and was liable for an action as directed in the constitution as well as in the Pakistan Penal Code. He requested the court to order the trial of Nawaz, Abbasi and others on high treason charges.
Earlier, Nawaz was brought in the LHC premises amid tight security. The courtroom was chock-a-block with lawyers and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leaders.
Published in Daily Times, October 9th 2018.