Interference of Executive in Judicial Affairs Intolerable: CJP Isa

Islamabad: Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa on Thursday said that “interference by the executive in the affairs and judicial workings of judges will not be tolerated” following a controversy over alleged interference in judicial affairs by the country’s intelligence apparatus.

The remarks were made in a press release of the Supreme Court after a second full court meeting in the day in the aftermath of a meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

The developments come a day after the apex court held a full court meeting to take stock of allegations levelled by six Islamabad High Court (IHC) judges — out of a total strength of eight — against interference in judicial affairs by the country’s intelligence apparatus.

An informed source had told Dawn that yesterday’s full court sitting had considered initiating suo motu proceedings under Article 184(3) of the Constitution in light of the letter, but no final decision was taken in this regard. Attorney General of Pakistan (AGP) Mansoor Usman Awan had also met CJP Isa on Wednesday and in an interaction with the media, described the situation as “very alarming”, which needed a thorough probe.

Earlier on Thursday, PM Shehbaz met CJP Isa at the Supreme Court, Radio Pakistan reported. Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar and AGP Awan were also present during the meeting, according to the state broadcaster.

After the meeting, CJP Isa summoned a second full court meeting in as many days, Dawn.com correspondent Abdullah Momand confirmed.

The apex court’s press release elaborated on Thursday’s meeting with PM Shehbaz, saying it lasted for about an hour and a half.

“The CJP clearly stated that interference by the executive in the affairs and judicial workings of judges will not be tolerated and under no circumstances can independence of the judiciary be allowed to be compromised.

“He and the Senior Puisne Judge [Mansoor Ali Shah] stated that independence of judiciary is a foundational pillar that upholds the rule of law and a strong democracy,” the press release said.

It added that a proposal was made in the meeting to constitute an inquiry commission under the Pakistan Commissions of Inquiry Act, 2017, further saying that it should be headed by a retired judge of “impeccable integrity” to investigate the matter.

PM Shehbaz said that a meeting of the federal cabinet would be called to seek its approval for the constitution of the commission.

“The prime minister fully endorsed the views expressed by the CJP and senior puisne judge and further assured them that he will be taking other appropriate measures to ensure an independent judiciary, including issuance of directions to the relevant departments and initiating legislation in accordance with paragraph 53 of Suo Moto No. 7/2017 (the Faizabad Dharna judgment).”

The press release elaborated that in the full court meeting held after the interaction with the premier, CJP Isa briefed the judges on what transpired at the session with PM Shehbaz.

Narrating the chronology of the current issue, the press release said the CJP had received the letter from the IHC judges on Tuesday and called a meeting with IHC CJ Aamer Farooq and all his subordinate judges the same day “considering the gravity of the allegations levelled in the said letter”.

It added that the concerns of all judges were heard individually in a meeting that lasted for over two and a half hours.

In Wednesday’s full court meeting, the press release said the session deliberated over the issues raised in the letter and developed a consensus among the majority to hold a meeting with the prime minister over the matter “in view of the gravity of the situation”… - Dawn

Interference of Executive in Judicial Affairs Intolerable: CJP Isa

Courtesy -Dawn

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