Title: No complaints of judicial interference under my watch, says CJP
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Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Justice Qazi Faez Isa has addressed concerns regarding alleged interference from the country’s intelligence agencies in judicial affairs, clarifying that during his tenure as chief justice, he has not received any grievances from high court judges regarding such interference.
Speaking at a ceremony organised by the Sindh High Court Bar Association (SHCBA) on Thursday, he stated, "Since I have been Chief Justice, I have not received a single complaint from any high court judge regarding interference in their work."
Justice Isa acknowledged that while there have been incidents mentioned in the past, they occurred before his tenure as CJP, Express News reported.
Acknowledging the support extended by the SHCBA to six judges of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) who wrote a letter to the Supreme Judicial Council seeking guidance on countering interference from intelligence agencies, Justice Isa expressed gratitude on their behalf.
On March 25 this year, six IHC judges wrote a letter to the Supreme Judicial Council seeking guidance to counter the interference of intelligence agencies in their affairs. They also suggested holding a judicial convention on this subject.
Instead of giving an 'institutional response', the Supreme Court, by majority, approved the formation of an inquiry commission to investigate into the six IHC judges’ letter.
Also read: All IHC judges agree on agencies' ‘interference'
Chief Justice Isa also held meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to discuss this matter.
However, former CJP Tassaduq Hussain Jillani recused himself from heading the inquiry commission in this issue. Following his recusal, the top court took suo motu notice of the matter.
During the first hearing, CJP Isa justified all his steps after the six IHC judges’ letter.
However, SC’s Justice Athar Minallah dissented with his steps and held that the burden was on the executive to ensure that nobody was interfering with judicial functions.
It is being witnessed that a malicious drive has started against Justices Athar Minallah and Babar Sattar of the IHC, one of the six judges who wrote that letter, on social media.
Their family details are being shared on social media but the government institutions are silent on this campaign.
Earlier this week, Islamabad High Court judges unanimously acknowledged that intelligence agencies were “interfering” in their judicial functions.
A full court meeting was held at the IHC under the chairmanship of its Chief Justice Aamer Farooq in view of the Supreme Court's decision wherein proposals were sought from high courts as how to protect the independence of judiciary from the “interference” of agencies.
Earlier, both the Lahore and Peshawar high courts held full court meetings to discuss the matter.
Published Date: 25-Apr-2024
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