Calls emerged from various quarters on Wednesday for a probe into allegations made by six Islamabad High Court (IHC) judges against interference in judicial affairs by the country\u2019s intelligence apparatus.<\/p>\n
Amid the calls, Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa summoned a full court meeting of the apex court\u2019s judges, with the session lasting a little over two hours.<\/p>\n
On Tuesday, six IHC judges \u2014 out of a total strength of eight \u2014 wrote a startling letter to the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) members, regarding attempts to pressure judges through abduction and torture of their relatives as well as secret surveillance inside their homes.<\/p>\n
The letter addressed to SJC members \u2014 CJP Isa, Supreme Court Justices Mansoor Ali Shah and Munib Akhtar and IHC CJ Aamer Farooq and Peshawar High Court CJ Mohammad Ibrahim Khan \u2014 also questioned if there existed a state policy to \u201cintimidate\u201d and coerce judges.<\/p>\n
The six judges also supported the demand of former IHC judge Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui for a probe into the allegations of interference by Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) operatives.<\/p>\n
The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) said today that the allegations required \u201cserious actions by the judiciary as an institution\u201d.<\/p>\n
In a press release, SCBA President Shahzad Shaukat took \u201cserious exception to the undue interference\u201d claimed by the judges.<\/p>\n
\u201cSuch issues should be addressed in a befitting manners and any apprehensions\/ misgivings which might be in the minds of honorable judges should be adequately addressed,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
It declared \u201cunequivocally that bar associations, particularly the SCBA, will not tolerate any incidents aimed at undermining the independence, integrity, authority and functioning of judicial institutions\u201d.<\/p>\n
In an open letter, SCBA Additional Secretary Sardar Shahbaz Ali Khosa urged CJP Isa to take suo motu notice of the matter under Article 184(3) of the Constitution and conduct a \u201cthorough and transparent (live) hearing\u201d of the case.<\/p>\n
He also highlighted a \u201crecent crackdown on journalists and media outlets who have reported on these alleged interferences\u201d and urged CJP Isa to summon prominent journalists across Pakistan to detail the \u201cextent of interference and coercion that the free press is being meted to on an everyday basis\u201d.<\/p>\n
The SCBA official further called for a meeting of the SJC to be convened on the issue and \u201cnot only ascertain the way forward but also fix responsibilities\u201d.<\/p>\n
The IHC Bar Association (IHCBA) demanded the CJP hold a \u201ctransparent inquiry\u201d into the matter and that legal action be taken against those involved. In a press release, the association said its cabinet held an emergency meeting. The lawyers\u2019 body \u201cstrongly condemned the interference of one institution into the matters of another institution\u201d.<\/p>\n
It further demanded that the \u201cjudiciary ensure independent decisions according to the law and the Constitution without fear or danger\u201d. It also commended the six IHC judges for their \u201ccourage and bravery\u201d.<\/p>\n
The association said that if needed, it would prove to be a vanguard for the judiciary\u2019s independence and \u201cwould take every step needed for the supremacy of the Constitution and the law\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe IHCBA would not even hesitate from holding a lawyers representative convention, countrywide lawyers convention, strike, hunger strike and running a movement if needed for the judiciary\u2019s independence,\u201d it asserted.<\/p>\n
The Lahore High Court Bar Association (LHCBA) demanded \u201cimmediate action against those intelligence agencies and personnel involved in such nefarious activities and [that] they be punished for undermining and subverting of the Constitution and the law\u201d.<\/p>\n
It further demanded \u201cimmediate action by the SJC against those judges who cooperate with such intelligence agencies, thus playing havoc with the administration of justice\u201d.<\/p>\n
Condemning the alleged interference in the \u201cstrongest terms\u201d, the LHCBA said it was a \u201cserious threat to the rule of law and independence of judiciary\u201d.<\/p>\n
The body said that the current CJP and his predecessor \u2014 Justice Isa and Justice Umar Ata Bandial \u2014 \u201cfailed to act timely to avert this grave situation\u201d. It further said that the IHC chief justice had \u201cfailed to protect his fellow judges and the judges subordinate to IHC\u201d, terming his conduct \u201cnot appreciable\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe expect from CJP to act towards the protection of judges of the superior courts as well as the subordinate courts [\u2026] and to create conditions and [an] environment in which judges can dispense justice without any fear or favour,\u201d the LHCBA said.<\/p>\n
The Sindh High Court Bar Association (SHCBA) demanded that a judicial commission comprising three SC judges be formed to \u201cinvestigate and probe the allegations and take firm steps to stop such interference\u201d.<\/p>\n
In a resolution passed after an urgent meeting of its managing committee, the SHCBA called for \u201cinstitutional mechanisms to safeguard the independence of the judiciary, including measures to protect judges from threats and external influence and strengthen accountability mechanisms within the judiciary\u201d.<\/p>\n
The lawyers\u2019 body strongly condemned any alleged interference \u201cby the executive branch or operatives of intelligence agencies\u201d. It termed the alleged surveillance of a judge through video recordings \u201cthe worst form of intrusion of privacy\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhile we strongly condemn such tactics, we appreciate the honourable judges for the strong stance taken by them,\u201d the resolution said.<\/p>\n
The Balochistan Bar Council also called on CJP Isa to take a suo motu notice of the allegations. In a press release, the council expressed its concerns over the matter and said the alleged interference in judicial matters was \u201ccondemnable and unacceptable in any circumstances\u201d.<\/p>\n
The bar council also demanded that the Pakistan Bar Council convene a conference of lawyer representatives from across the country to decide on a plan of action.<\/p>\n
In a press release, the Pakistan Bar Council said that the concerns raised by the lawyers should have been sent to the CJP as SJC is not the competent authority to address this issue.<\/p>\n
It said that the allegations of interference and intimidation are significant, calling for a thorough inquiry conducted under senior SC judges constituted by the CJP.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is essential to reiterate that what is needed is not a trial by media but a rigorous and comprehensive inquiry\/investigation conducted within the framework of the law,\u201d it said, adding that the PBC was ready to support and cooperate with any efforts aimed at ensuring the integrity and independence of the judiciary.<\/p>\n
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Bar Council (KPBC) also expressed \u201cconcern and reservation\u201d over the alleged judicial interference described in the judges\u2019 letter.<\/p>\n
In a statement issued today, KPBC Vice-Chairman Sadiq Ali Mohmand deemed the IHC judges\u2019 letter \u201ca worrisome development\u201d and added that \u201cinterference in judicial affairs by secret agencies is condemnable.\u201d<\/p>\n
The KP Bar Council, he said, firmly maintained that \u201cjudges must take action upon the interference of a person or institution in judicial affairs\u201d and reiterated that they will play their role in upholding the rule of law and defending the Constitution.<\/p>\n
PTI calls for \u2018impartial inquiry\u2019
\nMeanwhile, a statement posted on the X account of former prime minister Imran Khan \u2014 who is currently incarcerated \u2014 \u201cwelcomed the six brave judges [\u2026] who have highlighted the alarming state of affairs of the higher judiciary\u201d and called for an \u201cimpartial inquiry\u201d into the matter.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis letter with its two annexures, brings on the record the brazen and shameful interference of the intelligence agencies in judicial matters, which is a damning indictment against the independence of the judiciary in the country,\u201d the statement said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe fact that the judges have been intimidated and coerced into giving judgments based on political expediency raises a lot of questions on the fairness of the courts and their judgments over the last two years,\u201d it added.<\/p>\n
It said the letter also questioned the \u201ccredibility of the state narrative with results to May 9, an event instigated within the IHC when Chairman PTI Imran Khan was abducted and dragged from the court premises by paramilitary forces, who stormed the building of the IHC\u201d.<\/p>\n
Highlighting that a \u201cwave of political victimisation has been unleashed\u201d against the party, the PTI said that \u201ccourts have been unable to assert their authority or dispense justice\u201d.<\/p>\n
The statement emphasised that as the IHC and its lower courts were where most of the cases against Imran were sub judice, \u201cthe fact that this court is under influence and pressure raises serious doubts on these cases as well\u201d.<\/p>\n
Separately, PTI MNA Gohar Ali Khan called for ensuring the safety of the judges who had written the letter as well as their families. Addressing a press conference in Islamabad, he demanded that an inquiry be conducted by a judicial\u00a0commission.<\/p>\n