Justice Babar Sattar
ISLAMABAD: Islamabad High Court (IHC) Justice Babar Sattar, who recently resumed his duties after the summer vacation, has proceeded on a month-long leave.
Justice Sattar, known for his stance against the interference of intelligence operatives in judicial matters, had previously written a letter to the Chief Justice highlighting such concerns.
According to sources, Justice Sattar applied for leave on Thursday, which was subsequently approved by IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq.
A notification regarding his leave was circulated to the Ministry of Law and Justice, the secretaries to the Chief Justice and Justice Sattar, the registrar, additional registrars, deputy registrars, and the Accountant General Pakistan Revenue.
While the official notification specified a month-long leave from September 30 to October 29, sources have suggested that the leave is extendable, and Justice Sattar may not return to his duties until December.
In fact, during court proceedings on Thursday, the judge adjourned several cases until December. When a lawyer requested that a hearing be scheduled in November, Justice Sattar responded that he would not be available during that month.
This is not the first time this year that Justice Sattar has taken leave. In July, he took a month-long leave and left Pakistan. His recent decision to go on extended leave has led to speculation, with insiders suggesting that he may not be available in November either.
Justice Sattar has been vocal in his criticism of certain practices within the establishment. Just a day before his leave application, the judge raised concerns about the role of the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) in nominating defense analysts for television appearances.
This issue came to light in an order issued by the IHC regarding a case challenging the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority’s (Pemra) directive that retired officers must seek ISPR’s permission before appearing on TV.
Earlier this year, Justice Sattar was part of a group of six judges who sent a letter detailing harassment by intelligence agencies.
He has also been handling the sensitive audio leak case, where state agencies are accused of unlawfully surveilling citizens. During the course of this case, it was revealed that a mass surveillance system called the ‘Lawful Intercept Management System’ is used to monitor citizens.
Justice Sattar has himself been targeted as a result of his involvement in the audio leaks case. He filed a complaint with the IHC Chief Justice, stating that he was being harassed due to his stance on the issue.
He also requested the initiation of contempt proceedings after personal details about him and his family, including their U.S. residence permits, were leaked online.
The judge emphasized that his family’s privacy had been severely breached, with their identity cards and permanent residency documents being posted on social media platforms.
Following this, the Islamabad High Court directed the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to take legal action against those responsible for spreading Justice Sattar’s personal information on social media.
The case continues to draw attention, as it underscores ongoing concerns about privacy and the influence of intelligence agencies in Pakistan.
As Justice Sattar embarks on this month-long leave, it remains unclear whether he will extend his absence beyond October, given the sensitive nature of the cases he is involved in and the challenges he faces in his judicial role.
I am a dynamic professional, specializing in Peace and Conflict Studies, Conflict Management and Resolution, and International Relations. My expertise is particularly focused on South Asian Conflicts and the intricacies of the Indian Ocean and Asia Pacific Politics. With my skills as a Content Writer, I serve as a bridge between academia and the public, translating complex global issues into accessible narratives. My passion for fostering understanding and cooperation on the national and international stage drives me to make meaningful contributions to peace and global discourse.
