IHC Sets November 12 to Charge CDA’s Zaman Wattoo

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court has decided to frame a contempt of court charge against Capital Development Authority Member Estate Muhammad Zaman Wattoo on November 12, declining to immediately accept his unconditional apology over alleged misrepresentation and failure to comply with an order requiring his personal appearance.

Chief Justice Sardar Muhammad Sarfraz Dogar heard the matter on November 3 and directed Wattoo to attend the next hearing personally. The court also instructed the prosecutor to prepare for the proceedings. The decision concerns the proposed framing of a charge, with no conviction or sentence reported at this stage.

Barrister Hasnain Haider Thaheem appeared on behalf of the petitioner, while advocates Kashif Ali Malik and Nazir Jawad represented Wattoo, according to the supplied account of the hearing.

The proceedings centred on Wattoo’s absence from an earlier hearing despite a direction to appear personally, and the explanation given to the court for that absence.

Court Questions Absence and Conduct

During the hearing, Chief Justice Dogar questioned why Wattoo had attended proceedings before another bench without first appearing before his court or seeking additional time. According to the hearing account, the chief justice said an official summoned personally should remain available until the matter was called and heard.

The chief justice also emphasised that judicial orders and the dignity of the court had to be taken seriously. He rejected any suggestion that the judiciary would automatically endorse the government’s position, remarking that the court should not be regarded as anyone’s “B team”.

He said he had no personal grievance against Wattoo, but expressed concern over the official’s conduct on the date for which his attendance had been required.

The chief justice further observed that ordinary litigants should not be expected to wait for hours while influential or formally dressed individuals received preferential treatment.

Unconditional Apology Not Immediately Accepted

Offering an unconditional apology on Wattoo’s behalf, Kashif Ali Malik submitted that the defence was not attempting to justify the conduct questioned by the court.

Wattoo also personally apologised. He said he respected the judiciary and could not contemplate committing contempt of court.

The chief justice, however, indicated that the apology could be considered later and that the matter would proceed to the framing of a charge at the next hearing.

Nazir Jawad requested additional time, assuring the court that the defence would return fully prepared.

When called to the rostrum, prosecutor Adnan Ali submitted that Wattoo’s written response had not contained an apology, according to the supplied hearing account.

Earlier Proceedings and Competing Accounts

The dispute over Wattoo’s attendance had already featured in earlier proceedings. Associated Press of Pakistan reported on October 13 that the court had directed him to submit a response within seven days after declining an earlier request for an unconditional apology.

At that hearing, the petitioner’s counsel, Barrister Hasnain Theem, alleged that Wattoo had accompanied the CDA chairman before another bench despite illness having been cited to explain his absence from the chief justice’s court.

Wattoo’s counsel disputed that account, maintaining that the official had not claimed to be ill. The defence explained that he had attended the other courtroom expecting those proceedings to conclude sooner. These competing accounts form part of the dispute before the court and should not be treated as independently established facts.

Earlier reporting also said the petitioner’s side had produced a certified order and attendance record concerning Wattoo’s appearance before another bench on September 16. The court subsequently opened separate contempt proceedings and appointed Adnan Ali as prosecutor.

Next Hearing on November 12

The latest hearing concluded with the matter adjourned until November 12, when the court has indicated that a formal contempt charge will be framed. Wattoo has been directed to appear in person, while the prosecutor has been told to attend with the case prepared.

The allegations remain subject to judicial determination.