IHC in its order regulated Dr Qadeer’s movement with consent of parties: Justice Afridi

F.P. Report

ISLAMABAD: Supreme Court judge Justice Yahya Afridi on Thursday observed that the Islamabad High Court (IHC) had regulated the movement of Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan with the consent of parties.

Justice Yahya Afridi said as a judge, he could not allow anyone to damage a high court prestige.

The apex court would not allow to set the tradition of first filing a petition in one high court and after its verdict approaching the other one.

He asked how the same application was filed in the Lahore High Court after the IHC had given its vedict in the matter regulating the petitioner’s movement with the consent of the parties.

Justice Yahya was part of the two-judge SC bench headed by Justice Mushir Alam, which heard Dr Qadeer’s petition.

During the course of proceedings, Dr Qadeer’s counsel Advocate Taufeeq Asif presented his client’s letter in the court, in which he expressed dissatisfaction with the Islamabad High Court.

They had to approach the Lahore High Court under extraordinary circumstances, he added.

Attorney General for Pakistan (IGP) Khalid Javed Khan objected to the contents of Dr Abdul Qadeer’s letter.

Justice Yahya Afridi asked the AGP to file a petition against the letter if he had objections.

The AGP said that it was stated before the Supreme Court about the Islamabad High Court that there was no hope of justice there.

Justice Yahya Afridi said that the petitioner was advised to exercise caution in the choice of words.

The attorney general pleaded that the court should not accept the letter but the court made it part of the record.

Later, the case was adjourned till after Eid-Ul-Fitr holidays.