Attorney General for Pakistan (AGP) Mansoor Usman Awan refuted allegations of government interference in judicial matters during a rare press talk on Tuesday.
His remarks followed the Islamabad High Court’s (IHC) hearing of two contempt pleas. These pleas concerned the character assassination of Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani on social media and the leaking of Justice Babar Sattar’s details.
Awan clarified the IHC judges’ letter, which implied a conflict between the executive and judiciary. “We requested in-camera hearings for surveillance-related matters to protect our security and intelligence agencies’ capabilities,” he said.
He explained the AGP and AAG offices facilitate communication. “Neither the government nor any state institution can meddle in judiciary affairs. I strongly deny any such impression.”
Awan added, “No security establishment officer has contacted or can contact any judiciary member. Any contact was made through the AGP’s office to keep sensitive information private.”
In March, six IHC judges sought clarity from the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) on executive intrusion in judicial matters. Judges Mohsin Akhtar Kiyani, Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri, Babar Sattar, Sardar Ejaz Ishaq Khan, Arbab Muhammad Tahir, and Saman Rafat Imtiaz expressed concerns about intelligence agencies’ interference.
The judges requested a judicial convention to address intelligence operatives’ interference and intimidation of judges. They emphasized investigating whether an executive policy aims to interfere with judicial affairs. Their letter called for a judicial convention to discuss this issue, threatening judicial independence.
