ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court (SC) of Pakistan has taken a significant step by consolidating all pleas filed subsequent to the letter from Islamabad High Court (IHC) judges, which raised concerns about interference by intelligence agencies in the judicial domain.
The apex court has combined the pleas submitted by various parties, including the Bars of Islamabad, Lahore, and Balochistan High Courts, as well as individuals like Aitzaz Ahsan, Shehbaz Khosa, and Mian Dawood. Notices have been issued to the Attorney General of Pakistan and all respondents for the upcoming hearing scheduled for April 30.
A six-member larger bench led by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa will preside over the case on April 30. The bench comprises Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah, Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhaill, Justice Athar Minallah, Justice Musarrat Hilali, and Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan.
The genesis of this development lies in the suo moto notice taken by CJP Qazi Faez Isa on April 1, following the letter from IHC judges alleging interference by intelligence agencies in judicial matters. The letter, authored by prominent IHC judges, was addressed to the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) and sought guidance on the duty of a judge to report and respond to attempts by members of the executive, including intelligence operatives, to interfere with their official functions.
The IHC judges penned the letter in the aftermath of the Supreme Court’s ruling on March 22 in the dismissal case of Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui. The judges expressed concerns about actions that could be perceived as intimidation and sought clarity from the SJC.
During the initial hearing on April 3, CJP Qazi Faez Isa hinted at the possibility of forming a full court to deliberate on the allegations raised by the IHC judges. This move underscores the seriousness with which the Supreme Court is approaching the matter, aiming to uphold the integrity and independence of the judiciary in Pakistan.
