ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa has prohibited the use of the term “higher judiciary” when referring to the Supreme Court.
While presiding over a bail petition in the apex court, the CJP emphasized that the Constitution does not include the term “judiciary” for the Supreme Court and insisted that it should be called the Supreme Court as per constitutional provisions.
This directive follows a recent decision by the Supreme Court to ban the use of the word “sahib” with the titles of government officials. During the hearing of a bail application related to the murder of a 10-year-old child in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa additional advocate general addressed the court.
CJP Qazi Faez Isa expressed concern over the public prosecutor addressing a deputy superintendent of police as “sir.” He noted that the use of such titles had a negative impact on public perception.
Emphasizing that the official in question held the rank of deputy superintendent of police (DSP) and was not deserving of such respect, CJP Faez Isa underscored the importance of using appropriate titles and designations in legal proceedings.
Peshawar High Court Chief Justice Admits Corruption in Police Recruitment, Highlights Personal Experience
In another development, Chief Justice Muhammad Ibrahim of the Peshawar High Court acknowledged that police officials were being recruited through bribery. He revealed that even at his own residence, four out of five personnel have been hired through corrupt practices.
The chief justice made these remarks during the hearing of a case involving violence by the superintendent of police (training) against a retired sub-inspector. Chief Justice Ibrahim, leading a two-member bench, questioned the SI about the nature of the dispute between the two officials. The sub-inspector replied that the superintendent of police had assaulted him because he possessed evidence of corruption and bribery in the recruitment process.
Acknowledging the prevalence of bribery in police recruitment, the chief justice noted that it was indeed true that officers were being hired based on bribes. He went on to disclose that even in his own residence, the majority of the personnel—four out of five—secured their positions through illicit means.
In a somewhat sardonic tone, Chief Justice Ibrahim suggested that had the superintendent of police shared a portion of the bribes with the sub-inspector, the altercation might have been avoided.
