Six judges from the Islamabad High Court have petitioned the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) to convene a judicial assembly regarding alleged interference from executive members, including intelligence agency operatives, in judicial matters.
In their letter to the SJC, Justices Mohsin Akhtar Kayani, Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri, Babar Sattar, Sardar Ejaz Ishaq Khan, Arbab Muhammad Tahir, and Saman Imtiaz sought clarity on judges’ obligations concerning reporting and responding to actions by executive members, including intelligence operatives, that impede their official duties and constitute intimidation. They also emphasized the duty to report such actions involving colleagues or court members under their supervision.
This development follows the recent ruling by the Supreme Court, declaring the removal of former IHC Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui as illegal, directing his status to be considered as retired. The verdict highlighted the assumption by the SJC regarding the irrelevance of the truth or falseness of allegations against Justice Siddiqui and noted his failure to substantiate the allegations independently.
The IHC judges, echoing Justice Siddiqui’s call for investigation into his allegations, urged expanding the scope of inquiry to determine ongoing interference in IHC’s administrative functions and judicial proceedings, possibly under coercion by intelligence agencies.
They pointed out the lack of guidance in the SJC’s code of conduct for judges on responding to and reporting incidents of intimidation, emphasizing the need to investigate any continuing policy of executive branch interference, possibly executed by intelligence operatives, aimed at manipulating judicial outcomes.
Furthermore, the IHC judges requested a judicial assembly to address the interference of intelligence operatives in judicial functions, which undermines judicial independence.
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf urged the Chief Justice of Pakistan to promptly address the concerns raised by the six IHC judges. He described the contents of the letter as sensitive and alarming, aligning with PTI’s stance against illegal and unconstitutional activities of intelligence agencies and state institutions.
The spokesperson alleged widespread interference by intelligence agencies and state institutions, leading to constitutional violations, erosion of human rights, and democratic principles. He emphasized the urgent need for decisive action to hold intelligence agencies and state institutions accountable, stressing PTI’s support for the judges’ plea to the Chief Justice for immediate intervention.
