'I didn't say that I will get hold of her': IHC CJ clarifies remarks during exchange with Imaan Mazari

Islamabad High Court Chief Justice Sardar Muhammad Sarfraz Dogar on Friday clarified his remarks made a day earlier during an exchange with lawyer and rights activist Imaan Zainab Mazari, saying that his words had been “taken out of context.”

The exchange took place on Thursday during proceedings on a petition seeking the removal of activist Dr Mahrang Baloch’s name from the Exit Control List (ECL), when Justice Dogar cautioned Mazari against contempt of court for allegedly calling him a “dictator.”

The matter came to the fore on Friday in another ECL case filed by a petitioner named Abdul Jabbar. While addressing the controversy, Justice Dogar said Mazari was “like a daughter” to him and that he had only been trying to explain matters to her.

When the the matter came up today in a separate case filed by a petitioner named Abdul Jabbar, who also sought removal of his name from the ECL, Justice Dogar addressed the matter directly. He said he considered Mazari “like his daughter” and that his remarks the day before had been meant as guidance.

“As the chief justice and as a senior, I only tried to make her understand. Unfortunately, my words have been taken out of context, and an unnecessary storm has followed,” he said.

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He added that Mazari had every right to challenge his rulings but should avoid making her objections personal. “I was trying to explain to her as one would counsel a child, but she kept bringing up fundamental rights. Does this court itself not have rights under the Constitution?” he asked.

Reports circulating after Thursday’s hearing suggested that Justice Dogar had told Mazari’s husband, lawyer Hadi Ali Chattha, to “make her understand” or else he might “get hold of her one day.” On Friday, the chief justice categorically denied uttering such words. “What I said is being misquoted. I never threatened to grab her. I only asked her husband to take her away if she didn’t stop, otherwise contempt proceedings could follow,” he clarified.

Chattha, however, rejected the clarification in a post on X, insisting the judge had made the reported remarks. He accused Justice Dogar of misconduct and claimed the IHC had effectively been “held hostage.”

During Friday’s proceedings, Justice Dogar also warned that contempt charges could impact Mazari’s legal career. Reacting later, Chattha said the statement proved that the judge was unfit for judicial office and was using his position to intimidate lawyers.