ISLAMABAD, May 25 : Irked at the Islamabad inspector general of police (IGP)’s failure to appear before the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday despite notice over contempt proceedings related to former PTI leader Shireen Mazari’s fifth arrest, Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb remarked that the entire state machinery is being used for political gains.
At the outset of the hearing, the additional attorney-general informed the court that the IGP was running late because of another hearing before bench one.
To this, Justice Aurangzeb said, “Could have informed us on day one that Shireen Mazari’s arrest had nothing to do with the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) and was entirely political. We would have heard other cases instead.”
“Should have told the court on day one why the entire state machinery is active,” remarked Justice Aurangzeb. “This is a contempt case, the IGP should have appeared in person,” he observed.
The judge added that it appears that Mazari’s arrests had nothing to do with maintaining peace or MPO Ordinance 1960. “Prima facie the IGP prefers following directives of the Rawalpindi DC as opposed to court orders,” he maintained.
The court summoned the IGP at the next hearing slated for May 31 and sought a written reply. Mazari’s daughter advocate Imaan Mazari was present in court along with her lawyer Zainab Janjua.
On May 22, former federal minister Mazari was taken into custody from outside Adiala Jail for the fifth time in 12 days despite court orders for her release.
The court had nullified the second MPO case against Mazari, according to her lawyers. The next day, the IHC summoned the IGP of the federal capital over a contempt plea filed in this regard.
Later on the same day, Mazari addressed the media in Islamabad and announced that she was not only leaving the PTI but also saying goodbye to active politics.
She stated that her health and her daughter Imaan Mazari had both suffered extensively during her 12-day incarceration.
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