Islamabad: Over 300 lawyers have called upon the Supreme Court (SC) to take notice of allegations of interference in the judiciary by the intelligence apparatus, urging action under Article 184(3) of the Constitution. This follows a recent letter from six Islamabad High Court (IHC) judges alleging pressure and interference, including abduction and torture of their relatives, and secret surveillance inside their homes.
The lawyers argue that any government-led commission to investigate these claims would lack necessary independence and powers. They express solidarity with the IHC judges and demand appropriate action to uphold the principles of the rule of law, independence of the judiciary, and access to justice.
They highlight previous instances, such as the removal of Justice (retired) Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui, as indicative of a need for concrete measures to restore public confidence in the judiciary’s independence. They call for a transparent and public inquiry, suggesting that proceedings be telecast live for public consumption.
The lawyers also criticize the decision to form an inquiry commission headed by former CJP Tassaduq Hussain Jillani, stating that it would lack credibility and independence due to the federal government’s control over its scope, timeframe, and report publication.
In conclusion, they urge the Supreme Court to take cognizance of the matter under Article 184(3) of the Constitution, emphasizing the need for transparent institutional mechanisms to report and address attempts to undermine judicial independence in the future.
