In a major development, former Gilgit Baltistan Chief Judge Rana Shamim has distanced himself and disowned his controversial affidavit where he accused former Chief Justice Saqib Nisar of deliberately keeping former premier Nawaz Sharif and his daughter Maryam Nawaz in jail.
According to the details, Rana Shamim backtracked from his allegations and submitted an affidavit containing his unconditional apology to the Islamabad High Court (IHC) in response to the contempt of court proceedings initiated against him as a result of his earlier affidavit.
In the latest affidavit, Rana Shamim again apologized, disowned his own ‘controversial’ affidavit, and withdrew from its contents.
Read more: Family of Rana Shamim demands action against PTI members
“I tender an unconditional apology for an affidavit which was neither correct nor required… I regret rather apologize for an incorrect affidavit where the name of an honorable judge was mistakenly and unintentionally mentioned. I further regret and apologize for my grave mistake which should never have happened,” Rana Shamim said in the affidavit.
جنگ گروپ اورنون لیگ کی چیف جسٹس ثاقب نثار کے خلاف مہم مکمل طور پر Expose ہو گئ ہے راناشمیم کا معافی مانگنا کافی نہیں یہ کوئ غلطی یا زبان نہیں پھسلی بلکہ ایک منظم سازش ہے جس کے پیچھے کے کردار بھی اب سب کے سامنے ہیں چیف جسٹس اسلام آباد معاملے کی طے تک پہنچیں ملزمان کو سزا دی جائے
— Ch Fawad Hussain (@fawadchaudhry) September 17, 2022
Allegations by Rana Shamim
Rana Shamim’s apology is an interesting development as his entire narrative has taken a sharp turn. Pertinent to mention that his previous affidavit caused quite the controversy in Pakistani politics.
In November 2021, an explosive report emerged quoting Rana Shamim as stating that Saqib Nisar directed a high court to not release PML-N supremo and former premier Nawaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz on bail at any cost before the 2018 general elections.
According to the news report, Rana Shamim made the claims in a notarized affidavit. He made the statement under oath before the Oath Commissioner on November 10, 2021. The report resulted in a campaign against Saqib Nisar, and PML-N, along with its supporters accusing him of criminal activity.
Meanwhile, Saqib Nisar denied the allegations made against him. While talking to the media, he said the news is far from reality. Furthermore, he stated that Shamim asked him for an extension.
Read more: Rana Shamim’s son thinks signing affidavit in Nawaz’s office is not a big deal
On the other hand, contempt of court proceedings was initiated against Rana Shamim. Moreover, the authenticity of his affidavit was put into question as UK solicitor Charles Guthrie – who notarized the affidavit – said it was signed in Nawaz Sharif’s London office. As a result, it was believed that the Sharif family manufactured the whole isse to gain the public’s sympathy.
راناشمیم کےبیان حلفی واپس لینےپرمریم نوازپھرجھوٹی ثابت۔۔۔کیامریم نوازسابق چیف جسٹس ثاقب نثارسے معافی مانگیں گی؟۔۔۔ن لیگ کا سیاسی پروپیگنڈا جھوٹ پر مبنی تھا؟۔۔۔
— Abbas Shabbir (@Abbasshabbir72) September 17, 2022