ISLAMABAD: The Chief Justice of Pakistan, Justice Qazi Faez Isa, has taken suo moto notice action following claims made by judges of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) regarding interference by intelligence agencies.
Six current judges of the IHC collectively addressed a letter to the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC), urging it to convene a judicial conference to examine the issue of "interference of intelligence agencies with judicial functions."
The judges involved in composing the letter to the SJC include Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kiyani, Justice Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri, Justice Baqir Sattar, Justice Sardar Ejaz Ishaq Khan, Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir, and Justice Salman Rafat Imtiaz. Their action followed the Supreme Court's ruling on March 22 regarding the dismissal case of Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui.
In their communication to the SJC, the judges sought clarity on the responsibilities of a judge in reporting and addressing actions by members of the executive branch, including intelligence operatives, that impede the execution of their official duties and constitute intimidation.
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A seven-member larger bench led by the Chief Justice will convene on Wednesday to address this matter. Justices Mansoor Ali Shah, Yahya Afridi, Jamal Mandokhail, Athar Minallah, Musarrat Hilali, and Naeem Akhtar Afghan will comprise this larger bench. The hearing is scheduled for 11:30 am on Wednesday.
Previously, more than 300 lawyers from various bar associations had urged the Supreme Court of Pakistan to consider the allegations made by IHC judges regarding intelligence agency interference in judicial functions under Article 184(3) of the Constitution.
