The Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) has issued a show-cause notice to Justice Sayyed Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi.
The council, led by the Chief Justice of Pakistan, Qazi Faez Isa, witnessed its first assembly under his leadership, signalling a renewed emphasis on scrutinizing the conduct of superior court judges.
Justice Naqvi has been directed to respond by November 10, following the receipt of the show-cause notice. The council’s meeting, chaired by CJP Isa and attended by esteemed members, including Justice Tariq Masood and Justice Ijaz Ul Ahsan, aimed at deliberating on the complaints against high-ranking judicial figures. This session, noteworthy for being the inaugural meeting under CJP Isa, highlighted the SJC’s exclusive constitutional authority to discipline or even remove judges on various grounds.
Unveiling Judicial Complaints: Senior Judges’ Stance
Amidst this backdrop, Justice Masood had previously submitted his legal opinion on the misconduct complaints against Justice Naqvi, as reported by The News. These complaints, originating during former chief justice Umar Ata Bandial’s term, were subsequently examined by Justice Masood. The complaints escalated following alleged audio leaks implicating Justice Naqvi in inappropriate discussions concerning case assignments, prompting further scrutiny from legal bodies, including the Pakistan Bar Council.
In an unprecedented move earlier in the year, senior justices Isa and Masood collectively appealed to the then CJP Bandial for an SJC session to address the allegations against Justice Naqvi. Their joint communication emphasized the urgency of either vindicating the implicated judge or proceeding as per constitutional mandates, citing the judiciary’s reputation and the public’s confidence as paramount.
This rejuvenation of the SJC underscores its pivotal role as a guardian of judicial integrity, entrusted with the duty to investigate both the professional competence and ethical conduct of judges, thereby safeguarding the judiciary’s sanctity in Pakistan.
