Islamabad HC judges seek SJC intervention on alleged interference.
In an unprecedented move, six judges of the
In an unprecedented move, six judges of the Islamabad High Court have requested the Supreme Judicial Council to look into alleged interference in the judiciary by Pakistan‘s intelligence agencies.
Islamabad High Court have requested the Supreme Judicial Council to look into alleged interference in the judiciary by Pakistan‘s intelligence agencies.
The March 25 letter signed by Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani, Justice Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri, Justice Babar Sattar, Justice Sardar Ejaz Ishaq Khan, Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir, and Justice Saman Rafat Imtiaz seeks the adoption of measures to ensure judicial independence.
The judges have advocated convening a judicial conference to discuss the issue. The SJC is authorized to take action against high court and supreme court judges.
As per the letter, judges have to report incidents of intimidation and interference that impact the discharge of their duties. However, the code of conduct lacks clarity on the process.
The letter highlights instances like the kidnapping and torture of a judge’s relative to influence a case. It noted judges must react to and report such intimidatory actions.
The judges have supported former IHC Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui’s demand to probe his allegations of ISI influencing court proceedings and bench formations.
Their letter officially flags claimed executive and spy agency involvement in the judiciary. It seeks the top court’s backing to address the issue and provide relevant guidance.
The move comes days after the SC declared Siddiqui’s removal illegal and said the truth of allegations against him was irrelevant to the proceedings.
