‘Video scam’: IHC decides to remove Judge Arshad Malik from his post

ISLAMABAD (92 News) – The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Friday decided to remove Accountability Court Judge Arshad Malik from his post over alleged video tape released by Pakistan Muslim League-N leader Maryam Nawaz. According to IHC spokesperson, the IHC acting chief justice sent a letter to Law Ministry for taking back the services of Arshad Malik as accountability court judge. Earlier today, Judge Arshad Malik wrote a letter to the IHC, in which, he rejected all the accusations leveled against him in the alleged video. The respectable judge also submitted his reply, affidavit, press release and other documents. The IHC spokesman said that the chief justice is reviewing the letter for further actions. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dvr17K4eTT0 A day earlier, Arshad Malik called on Islamabad High Court (IHC) acting chief justice Amir Farooq. This was the second meeting of the judge with IHC CJ ever since PML-N leadership produced an alleged video of him during a press conference. Justice Farooq had met with the Chief Justice of Pakistan Asif Saeed Khosa. Meanwhile, Supreme Court was also moved to launch an inquiry into the video scandal that broke during a Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) news conference on July 6. A constitutional petition, submitted by Ishtiaq Ahmed Mirza through his lawyer Chaudhry Munir Sadiq at the top court, named the federal government, PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif, PML-N leader Maryam Safdar, senior PML-N leader Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Nasir Butt and Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) as respondents. It requested the court to initiate a contempt of court proceedings against all the entities involved in the scandal. On July 7, a video footage shown by Maryam Nawaz at a press conference was baseless and contrary to facts, said Accountability Court judge Arshad Malik.

Rejecting the allegations leveled by the PML-N leaders, the judge clarified in an official statement that the video shown to media is fake.

A press release while quoting Arshad Malik further said the conversation presented to media in video, was totally wrong and out of context. “Leveling severe allegations against me is a plot to damage my repute and of my family and institution,” the judge said in the statement. He further explained that: “Being Rawalpindi resident I am serving as as accountability court judge. Previously I was a practicing lawyer. Nasir Butt, a character that is shown in the video, also belongs to Rawalpindi.” Arshad Malik said he had old acquaintance with Butt and that the latter and his brother Abdullah met the former many times in the past. He said the conversations shown in the video were concocted while involving different subjects and separate occasions. “During hearing of cases against Nawaz Sharif and family I was approached on different occasions by their representatives for bribes and on my refusal they threatened and intimidated me with dire consequences.” The judge said he overwhelmingly rejected such offers and showed steadfastness in the line of duty. ” I wouldn’t award punishment Nawaz Sharif in one case and absolve him in the other had I announced the verdicts in greed for bribes or getting influenced?’