ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court (SC) on Tuesday resumed hearing a case concerning claims raised by six judges from the Islamabad High Court (IHC) regarding alleged interference by the country’s security agencies in judicial affairs.
A larger bench comprising six members, led by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa and including Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah, Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhaill, Justice Athar Minallah, Justice Musarrat Hilali, and Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan, presided over the proceedings.
Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa initiated suo moto proceedings on April 1 in response to a letter from IHC judges alleging interference by intelligence agencies in judicial matters.
During the hearing, Attorney General for Pakistan (AGP) Awan requested additional time to prepare his arguments, citing a delay in receiving the court’s written order from the previous hearing.
He highlighted the necessity for the prime minister to review the order before the government could respond.
Upon direction from Justice Isa, the AGP read out the brief summary of the previous hearing. Justice Minallah suggested that convening a meeting to reach a consensus response might have been more appropriate, acknowledging the importance of all perspectives on the matter.
Justice Minallah observed unanimous acknowledgment of interference in judicial affairs, while Justice Mandokhail criticized the government for its inaction despite acknowledging such interference.
CJP Justice Qazi Faez Isa clarified that the SC’s bench formation committee had unanimously decided on the composition of judges for the case, emphasizing inclusivity. He expressed concern over polarization in the country and reiterated the importance of judicial independence.
Justice Isa emphasized that interference could originate from various sources, including internal and external influences, and stressed that a judge’s decisions reflect the extent of interference and independence.
Referring to a letter from top IHC judges, Justice Isa highlighted their request for guidance from the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) regarding a judge’s duty to report and respond to executive actions that impede their official duties.
The chief justice queried AGP Awan about his familiarity with the IHC judges’ recommendations and solicited advice on the next steps in addressing the matter.
