Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa firmly declared that any interference from the executive branch in judicial matters is unequivocally unacceptable.
A statement from the Supreme Court emphasized Isa’s commitment to preserving the judiciary’s independence under all conditions.
The CJP’s statement came after a discussion between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, CJP Isa, and the Supreme Court’s full bench, which stressed the judiciary’s role as a cornerstone of democracy and the rule of law.
Prime Minister Shehbaz endorsed the judiciary’s stance and pledged to take necessary steps to ensure its autonomy. The talks led to a proposal for forming an inquiry commission, as per the 2017 Pakistan Commissions of Inquiry Act, led by a reputable retired judge to delve into these concerns.
CJP Isa’s immediate response to a letter from six Islamabad High Court judges detailing allegations of undue influence resulted in a comprehensive meeting involving all concerned justices. The session, extending over two and a half hours, addressed each judge’s concerns individually.
Subsequently, Isa convened another full court meeting to inform his colleagues about the outcomes of his meeting with the Prime Minister.
Acknowledging the issues raised, the federal government announced plans to establish an inquiry commission to explore the contentions noted in the IHC judges’ letter. This letter highlighted concerns following the Supreme Court’s verdict on the dismissal of Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui, suggesting undue influence on judicial proceedings.
Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar and Attorney General Mansoor Ali Shah confirmed the commission’s formation, emphasizing its objective to conduct an impartial inquiry.
Moreover, CJP Isa supported the establishment of a judicial commission to thoroughly investigate these allegations, affirming the separate yet pivotal roles of the judiciary and parliament in governance.
The call for an inquiry emerged after six IHC judges requested the Supreme Judicial Council to address the impact of intelligence agency interventions on judicial integrity following a critical Supreme Court judgment regarding Justice Siddiqui’s dismissal.
