ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Judicial Council today issued a show cause notice to a senior judge of the Supreme Court Justice Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi regarding 10 complaints against him.
The council held its maiden session on Friday under the chairmanship of Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Qazi Faez Isa.
The Supreme Judicial Council took up complaints against judges on Friday, starting with Justice Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi. The council directed the judge to submit his response to the show cause notice involving 10 complaints by Nov 10, 2023. The Council also filed a reference against Judge Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi.
“Ten complaints were filed against Justice Sayyed Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi. The council, by a majority of three to two, decided to issue him show-cause notices, together with copies of the complaints, and to seek his reply within 14 days of the receipt thereof, whereas the members in the minority stated that they needed more time to consider the complaints against him,” the press release of the SJC reads.
The misconduct complaints against Justice Naqvi first surfaced during the tenure of former Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial. Justice (retired) Bandial referred the matter to Justice Tariq Masood for examination and legal evaluation.
Initially, a misconduct complaint against Justice Naqvi was submitted to the SJC by Lahore-based lawyer Muhammad Dawood.
Subsequently, the Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) also announced its intention to file a complaint against the senior judge. PBC Vice Chairman Haroon Rashid filed a misconduct complaint against Justice Naqvi following the emergence of audio recordings purportedly discussing the case’s assignment to a specific bench or judge with former Punjab Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi.
The council will hear more complaints against judges of the superior courts. Justice Naqvi is facing misconduct complaint involving his assets beyond means.
The SJC, chaired by CJP Isa, includes two senior judges from the apex court, Justice Tariq Masood and Justice Ijaz Ul Ahsan.
This constitutional forum holds the authority to investigate and potentially remove judges from superior courts in light of various allegations.
In addition to Justice Naqvi, complaints have been lodged against other superior court judges, and the SJC is likely to address the allegations against Justice Naqvi during the forthcoming meeting.
Justice Tariq Masood, a senior judge of the Supreme Court and an SJC member, has already submitted his legal opinion on the misconduct complaints filed against Justice Naqvi in September of this year.
The SJC, serving as a body of accountability for judges of superior courts and high-ranking government officials, comprises five members, including the Chief Justice of Pakistan, the two most senior judges of the Supreme Court, and the two most senior chief justices of high courts.
In April, senior Supreme Court judges Justice Isa and Justice Masood had urged then-CJP Bandial to convene an SJC meeting for the examination of misconduct complaints against Justice Naqvi.
In a joint letter addressed to all SJC members, they expressed their desire to address these complaints promptly to determine their validity and either clear the respondent judge’s name or submit a report in accordance with the Constitution.
