IHC Rejects CDA Member Zaman Wattoo’s Apology, Orders Contempt Proceedings
Chief Justice Sarfraz Dogar directs CDA Member Estate to respond within seven days as court proceeds with contempt case over disputed attendance at an earlier hearing.
ISLAMABAD, October 13, 2026: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has declined to immediately accept an unconditional apology offered on behalf of Capital Development Authority (CDA) Member Estate Muhammad Zaman Wattoo, as formal contempt of court proceedings continue over allegations that he misrepresented the circumstances of his absence from an earlier hearing.
Chief Justice Sardar Muhammad Sarfraz Dogar, while hearing the matter, directed Wattoo to submit his written response within seven days and instructed the appointed prosecutor to appear fully prepared at the next hearing.
The court adjourned the contempt proceedings for one week, making it clear that the separate contempt matter would be addressed before further consideration of the underlying petition.
Chief Justice Declines Immediate Apology
During the hearing, CDA Member Estate Zaman Wattoo appeared before the court alongside CDA counsel Nazir Jawad, while Barrister Hasnain Haider Thaheem represented the petitioner.
Nazir Jawad requested the court to accept an unconditional apology on behalf of Wattoo.
However, Chief Justice Sarfraz Dogar declined to entertain the request immediately and indicated that the contempt proceedings would first follow their legal course.
The chief justice observed that the court would deal with the contempt matter before returning to the main petition.
Dispute Over Appearance Before Another Bench
The proceedings stem from an earlier hearing when Wattoo was required to appear personally before the chief justice’s bench but did not attend.
The petitioner’s counsel had alleged that Wattoo sought exemption from appearing on medical grounds while attending proceedings before another bench of the Islamabad High Court on the same day.
During the latest hearing, Chief Justice Dogar referred to the previous judicial order recording that Wattoo had appeared before another court but not before his bench.
Questioning the CDA counsel, the chief justice asked whether the court’s earlier order was incorrect.
Nazir Jawad disputed the suggestion that Wattoo had personally claimed to be ill and explained that the official had appeared before the other bench because those proceedings were expected to conclude earlier.
The chief justice questioned why the official had not informed his court about the arrangement.
Petitioner Alleges Protocol Duties Behind Absence
Barrister Hasnain Haider Thaheem told the court that Wattoo had appeared before another bench while accompanying the CDA chairman in connection with protocol duties.
He maintained that the circumstances surrounding Wattoo’s absence from the chief justice’s court required judicial examination.
The petitioner’s lawyer had previously produced attendance records relating to Wattoo’s appearance before another bench to support his position.
The CDA’s counsel, however, disputed aspects of the account concerning the alleged medical excuse.
The competing explanations remain part of the ongoing judicial proceedings, and the issuance of a contempt notice does not itself establish that Wattoo deliberately misled the court.
Prosecutor Directed to Prepare for Next Hearing
The Islamabad High Court has already appointed Deputy District Prosecutor Adnan Ali to represent the prosecution in the separate contempt proceedings.
During the latest hearing, Chief Justice Dogar directed the prosecutor to appear fully prepared at the next date of hearing.
Wattoo has also been directed to submit his response within seven days.
The proceedings are separate from the underlying litigation concerning the alleged non-implementation of a judicial decision relating to land allotment for affected persons.
Earlier proceedings in September resulted in a contempt show-cause notice after the court was informed that Wattoo had attended another bench despite his absence from the hearing before Chief Justice Dogar.
Main Petition to Be Considered Later
The chief justice made clear that the court would first address the issue arising from the official’s conduct and attendance before proceeding with the substantive petition.
The next hearing is expected to consider Wattoo’s written explanation, the prosecution’s submissions and any further arguments regarding the contested circumstances.
The Islamabad High Court has not announced a final determination of contempt or imposed a penalty in the proceedings described.
The matter will be taken up again after one week.
