ISLAMABAD(National times)- The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday dismissed a contempt petition filed against lawyer Imaan Mazari over her alleged remarks about judges of the district judiciary. Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani issued an 11-page written judgment, declaring the petition inadmissible and subsequently dismissing it. The petition had been filed by a citizen, Hafiz Ihtisham, accusing Mazari of contempt for her statements against trial court judges. According to the petitioner, Mazari had claimed that trial court judges awarded punishments in blasphemy cases under pressure from the accused and public sentiment, despite insufficient evidence.

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The court’s verdict included excerpts from Mazari’s speech reportedly delivered outside the National Press Club on September 27, in which she criticised the conduct of some judges. The court ruled that the words attributed to Mazari were based on personal opinion or hearsay, falling under her constitutional right to freedom of expression. The court noted that she neither named any specific judge of the IHC nor targeted any particular trial court judge. Justice Kayani concluded that Mazari’s remarks were general in nature and lacked intent to malign the judiciary, adding that a contempt case only stands when there is clear evidence of a deliberate attempt to damage the court’s reputation.