The Islamabad High Court has declined to initiate contempt of court proceedings against the Secretary of Interior, Defense, and the Inspector General (IG) for failing to locate Umar Nawaz, the brother of former Member of the National Assembly (MNA) Ali Nawaz Awan, despite a court order.
In a session presided over by Justice Tariq Mahmood Jahangiri, a contempt of court petition was presented regarding the failure to find Umar Nawaz, the brother of Ali Nawaz Awan, at the Islamabad High Court. The court issued notices to the Home Secretary, Chief Commissioner, and IG, asking for their responses. However, the court decided not to proceed with contempt of court charges.
Babar Awan, the petitioner’s lawyer, while reading the High Court’s order concerning Umar Nawaz’s recovery, stated that despite seven hearings, Umar Nawaz, who is missing, has not been located. The court had issued an order for his recovery, yet Umar Nawaz remains unaccounted for. The court possesses the authority to take action against those defying its orders.
The court acknowledged that no citizen should go missing, and the law is unequivocal that if someone has committed an offense, legal action can be taken against them. An FIR has already been registered, and the police are conducting an investigation. Given this context, initiating contempt of court proceedings appears questionable.
Babar Awan, the lawyer, argued that Umar Nawaz’s older brother is a former MNA and Umar Nawaz’s only “fault” is his failure to hold a press conference. This situation has become a recurring pattern. Can one simply turn a blind eye to such circumstances? The court is urged to consider this aspect as well.
Subsequently, the court issued notices to the involved parties and postponed the hearing until August 28th.
