IHC judges at loggerheads over contempt of court proceedings against DG Immigration and Passport, NAB Director

Acting Chief Justice of the Islamabad High Court, Sarfraz Dogar, Monday suspended the show cause notices for contempt of court issued to the Director General of Immigration and Passport and the Director of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) for violating court orders.

Acting Chief Justice Dogar also expressed strong displeasure over the issuance of fresh orders despite a stay on an earlier ruling issued by Justice Babar Sattar.

The division bench, headed by Justice Dogar and comprising Justice Muhammad Asif, suspended Justice Sattar’s latest 8-page order during today's hearing.

The case stems from an intra-court appeal filed by the DG Immigration and Passport challenging Justice Sattar’s earlier ruling. During the proceedings, the Directorate’s lawyer pointed out that Justice Sattar had issued another detailed order even though no active case was before him — a move that triggered Justice Dogar’s visible irritation.

"How can he pass an order when he has no case?" Acting Chief Justice Dogar thundered from the bench. Adding to the criticism, he said: "He seemed to enjoy running stories and articles on Geo News."

Justice Dogar announced that the matter will also be examined administratively, warning that such irregularities in judicial conduct "should not happen."

"First, let me see how this judge passed the order," he said.

Ultimately, the division bench adjourned the hearing, maintaining the suspension of all contempt proceedings until further review.