ISLAMABAD: Over 300 lawyers from various bar associations nationwide have commended the Islamabad High Court (IHC) judges for their bold action in addressing alleged interference by spy agencies in the judiciary. They have urged the Supreme Court to take up the matter under Article 184(3) of the Constitution.
The IHC judges, including Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kiyani, Justice Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri, Justice Babar Sattar, Justice Sardar Ejaz Ishaq Khan, Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir, and Justice Saman Fafat Imtiaz, penned a letter to the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC), urging a judicial convention on intelligence agencies’ alleged meddling in judicial affairs.
Following a meeting between Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, it was decided to form an inquiry commission led by a retired judge of unquestionable integrity to investigate the matter.
This move came after the federal cabinet approved the establishment of an inquiry commission led by former Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Tassaduq Hussain Jillani to investigate the allegations of intelligence agencies’ interference in judicial matters.
In a statement issued, the lawyers expressed support for resolutions passed by various bar associations and demanded action to uphold the independence of the judiciary. Notable signatories include Advocates Salman Akram Raja, Imaan Mazari, Abdul Moiz Jaferri, and Zainab Janjua, among others.
The statement pointed out the removal of former IHC judge Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui over similar allegations and stressed the need for an impartial inquiry.
It called on the Pakistan Bar Council and all bar associations to convene a convention urgently to decide on a collective course of action to bolster judicial independence.
Furthermore, the lawyers urged the Supreme Court to take cognizance of the matter under Article 184(3) of the Constitution, emphasizing its relevance to public interest and fundamental rights enforcement.
They emphasized transparency in dealing with the issue to restore public confidence in the judiciary and suggested live telecast of proceedings to prevent politicization.
In the interest of transparency and to prevent politicization, the joint statement urged the Supreme Court to form a bench comprising all available judges to hear the matter, with proceedings broadcasted live for public viewing.
