IHC Rebukes Lawyer Over Political Remarks in Kashmir Protest Case
Justice Khadim Hussain Soomro cautions counsel against political arguments as a division bench examines petitions seeking quashing of an FIR registered over a Kashmir-related protest in Islamabad; hearing adjourned until August 19.
ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday heard petitions seeking the quashing of a criminal case registered in connection with a Kashmir-related protest, with Justice Khadim Hussain Soomro strongly cautioning a petitioners’ lawyer against bringing political rhetoric into courtroom proceedings.
Court Questions Investigating Officer
A division bench comprising Justice Khadim Hussain Soomro and Justice Muhammad Asif heard the petitions. Advocate General Islamabad Naveed Hayat Malik appeared before the court on behalf of the administration.
During the proceedings, the Advocate General told the bench that the accused had been arrested on August 3 and produced before a court on August 4. He said around 500 people had been nominated in the case and argued that the allegations contained in the FIR were serious.
Justice Soomro directed the parties to confine their submissions to legal arguments, observing that the court wanted to hear the matter from a legal perspective.
The bench also questioned the investigating officer about the alleged violence.
When Justice Soomro asked whether any police officer had been injured, the investigating officer replied that no police personnel had sustained injuries.
Asked what property had allegedly been taken or damaged, the investigating officer told the court that shields had been snatched and an ARY vehicle had been damaged. He also confirmed, in response to a question from the bench, that a site plan of the incident had been prepared.
Court Seeks Further Report
The Advocate General sought additional time to submit a report, arguing that the case remained at an initial stage while petitions seeking its quashing had already been filed.
During the hearing, Justice Muhammad Asif remarked that young people had been put in jail and urged the authorities to show consideration, saying they were “our own children.”
Counsel for the petitioners argued that demonstrations over Kashmir had taken place around the world without criminal cases being registered, whereas a criminal case had been lodged in Pakistan.
Judge Warns Lawyer Over Political References
The courtroom exchange became tense when counsel referred to PTI while arguing that the accused should not be viewed through the lens of any political party.
Justice Soomro objected to political references and told counsel to respect the court and avoid turning the proceedings into political discourse. He warned the lawyer to remain silent or risk action against him.
The Advocate General, meanwhile, maintained that anyone found not to have participated in the alleged offence would be released.
The court adjourned further hearing of the petitions until August 19, allowing additional time for the relevant report to be submitted.
The account above is based primarily on the courtroom proceedings provided to Islamabad Tribune. Publicly accessible reporting confirms recent Kashmir-related protest activity in Islamabad, including demonstrations around the end of July, but the specific August 13 hearing details were not independently available in the sources located during our search.
