Over 300 lawyers from various national bar associations praised the bold action of Islamabad High Court (IHC) judges for addressing spy agencies’ purported meddling in judicial affairs.
The lawyers urged the apex court for a hearing under Article 184(3) of the Constitution. On Tuesday, six IHC judges penned a letter to the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC), advocating for a judicial convention on this issue.
Following discussions between Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday, it was agreed to form an inquiry commission led by a retired judge to investigate these claims, as stated officially.
The decision to establish this commission came after the federal cabinet’s approval, led by former CJP Tassaduq Hussain Jillani, to examine the allegations of intelligence agencies interfering with judicial matters.
Lawyers, including advocates Salman Akram Raja and Imaan Mazari, issued a statement supporting the IHC judges and demanding actions to preserve judicial independence. They highlighted a similar complaint by former IHC judge Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui, noting his dismissal lacked due process. The statement calls for an impartial inquiry to verify these claims.
Furthermore, the statement urges the Pakistan Bar Council and bar associations to promptly convene a lawyers’ convention to discuss supporting judicial independence. It requests the Supreme Court’s attention under Article 184(3) for the public interest and fundamental rights enforcement.
Lawyers seek transparent handling of this issue to rebuild public trust in judicial independence, suggesting a live-telecasted hearing by a full bench of the Supreme Court to avoid politicization.
