Islamabad: In a significant development, the Supreme Court of Pakistan has taken up a suo motu case following allegations made by six Islamabad High Court judges regarding interference in judicial affairs. Chief Justice of Pakistan, Qazi Faez Isa, emphasized that any attack on the judiciary’s independence would not be tolerated, hinting at forming a full court to hear the case.
The allegations, detailed in a letter to the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC), include attempts to pressure judges through the abduction and torture of their relatives, as well as secret surveillance inside their homes. The judges highlighted instances where intelligence officials allegedly tried to influence the outcome of cases, leading to undue stress on the judiciary.
During the hearing, the Chief Justice expressed displeasure over the premature reporting of petitions in the media before they were officially filed. He also underscored the need to maintain the judiciary’s independence and criticized attempts to pressure judges through various means.
The Attorney General for Pakistan (AGP) assured the court of the government’s support for the inquiry into the allegations. However, he also raised concerns about inappropriate comments made on social media regarding the investigation.
The Supreme Court’s decision to take suo motu notice and form a seven-member bench to hear the case demonstrates its commitment to upholding the rule of law and protecting judicial independence. The next hearing is scheduled for April 29, with the possibility of constituting a full court to further address the matter.
