ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) issued a show-cause notice to Supreme Court Justice Mazahar Ali Naqvi on Wednesday, following days of deliberations on misconduct complaints filed against him. The notice, issued with a majority decision of four to one, seeks clarification from Justice Naqvi on 10 points within 14 days.
The SJC meeting, held for the third consecutive day, was chaired by Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Qazi Faez Isa. Other members included Justice Sardar Tariq Masood, Justice Ijaz Ul Ahsan, Chief Justice of Lahore High Court Justice Amir Bhatti, and Chief Justice of Balochistan High Court Justice Naeem Afghan.
After a thorough examination of the complaints, the council decided to proceed with the complaints and issued the show-cause notice to Justice Naqvi.
Justice Ahsan dissented with the majority decision to issue the show-cause notice, according to sources. The complaints against Justice Naqvi involve allegations of misconduct and financial impropriety.
The judge has filed a petition in the Supreme Court, terming the campaign against him a direct attack on the independence of the judiciary and challenging the show-cause notice issued to him.
Justice Naqvi accused the SJC of subjecting him to a “media trial” and stated that the complaints were mala fide and without lawful authority. He contends that the proceedings and the show-cause notice are void ab initio and of no legal effect.
