Justice Babar Sattar of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) is reportedly planning to take another extended leave, potentially starting on November 4.
Although the IHC duty roster lists him as available next week, sources indicate he will resume his duties on October 30 and work until November 1 before embarking on a fifteen-day leave.
This decision comes amidst ongoing controversies surrounding Justice Sattar. It has been suggested that his leave is partly motivated by dissatisfaction with certain constitutional amendments related to the judiciary.
Earlier this year, he was one of six judges who wrote to the Supreme Judicial Council, alleging harassment by intelligence officials.
Justice Sattar is currently overseeing a significant audio leaks case that has unveiled a mass surveillance system known as the “National Intelligence Management System,” which has been used to monitor citizens.
During the proceedings, he filed a complaint with the IHC Chief Justice, claiming he was being targeted for his position in this high-profile case.
In a related matter, Justice Sattar had previously petitioned Lahore High Court Chief Justice Aamer Farooq to initiate contempt of court proceedings after his personal information, including his U.S. residency permit, was shared online. He expressed concern over the violation of his family’s privacy, as their identity cards and permanent resident documents were also posted on social media.
In response, the Lahore High Court directed the Federal Investigation Agency to investigate those responsible for the unauthorized dissemination of Justice Sattar’s private data.
These developments highlight the challenges faced by Justice Sattar amid significant scrutiny and legal pressures as he navigates his responsibilities within the judiciary.
