IHC allows lawyers to meet PTI chief in jail

Issues show-cause notice to Adiala Jail superintendent for not appearing despite summons

ISLAMABAD:

The Islamabad High Court on Thursday issued a show-cause notice to the Adiala Jail superintendent for not appearing despite the summons to provide facilities to the PTI chairman and allowed his lawyers to meet him in jail without any hindrance.

A division bench comprising Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb and Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir heard the case.

Deputy Attorney General Arshad Mahmood Kayani and Assistant Attorney General Azmat Bashir Tarar appeared in the court, while the Adiala Jail authorities did not despite the court summons.

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The court again issued a show-cause notice to the jail superintendent, saying that why contempt proceedings should not be initiated against the superintendent.

Justice Aurangzeb expressed anger at the late arrival of the law officers, saying: “Who will come to assist this court? Everyone is celebrating the happiness of Nawaz Sharif and distributing sweets.”

Justice Aurangzeb told the law officers that “you all are so affected by Nawaz Sharif, do you want to go to welcome him”.

He said, “This is a five-year cycle. After all, the PTI chairman is a former prime minister.”

Giving an example, Justice Aurangzeb said, “In 1977, my father was also in jail. I also kept going to visit him in jail.”

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Sher Afzal Marwat Advocate said, “We can meet the PTI chairman only on that day when there is a case. Even on that day the meeting is held in a box-like cage.”

Marwat said, “We have made a schedule according to which we need permission to meet him.”

Justice Aurangzeb said, “Show us the schedule.”

The court adjourned the hearing, allowing the lawyers to meet the PTI chairman in jail without any hindrance.