Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has criticized Senior Puisne Judge Mansoor Ali Shah, stating that a “selective sense of justice” does not align with his high judicial stature, following Shah’s objections regarding the credibility of the Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP).
In a recent letter to Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Yahya Afridi, Justice Mansoor called for the full court to convene and direct the registrar to schedule hearings for pending petitions challenging the 26th Amendment. Justice Mansoor also pointed out that the current commission had been restructured under this amendment, raising concerns about its legitimacy.
Khawaja Asif responded by naming several prominent figures he believes have damaged the judiciary’s reputation, including Saqib Nisar, Khosa, Ijaz-ul-Ahsan, and Mazahar Naqvi. He stated that these individuals, along with others, had contributed to the erosion of the judiciary’s dignity.
Addressing Justice Mansoor directly, Asif questioned: “Why did these concerns about public trust not arise earlier, Shah sahib? Or is this complaint based on some personal reason?”
Asif further emphasized the importance of Justice Mansoor’s position, stating: “You hold a very high office, Shah sahib, and I respect you, but this selective sense of justice does not befit your stature.”
Asif also pointed out that the constitutional validity of the 26th Amendment has been challenged in the Supreme Court, with numerous petitions from various segments of society currently pending. He noted that over two dozen petitions on this issue are awaiting a verdict.
In his letter, Justice Mansoor had warned that if the Supreme Court rules against the constitutional amendment, any actions taken by the new commission—especially concerning the nomination of additional judges for various high courts—could be rendered invalid. He also expressed concern that such actions would undermine the legitimacy of these appointments and damage public trust in the judiciary.
Responding to Justice Mansoor’s statement about the potential erosion of public confidence in the judiciary, Asif noted: “The Honourable Shah has been part of the higher judiciary for many years and has witnessed the developments within the judiciary. It is surprising that such concerns are being raised now.”
Asif concluded by reiterating that Justice Mansoor’s position demanded a higher standard of impartiality and fairness, calling for a more balanced approach to the ongoing judicial challenges.
