Today, in a significant development, the Supreme Court of Pakistan is set to conduct a hearing on the first spontaneous notice taken by Chief Justice Qazi Faiz Isa on April 1 regarding the letter penned by six judges of the Islamabad High Court. This hearing, scheduled to take place in room number one of the Supreme Court, will address the serious allegations of interference by secret agencies in the affairs of the judiciary.
Chief Justice Qazi Faiz Isa will preside over the proceedings, leading a seven-member larger bench. Joining him on the bench will be Justice Mansoor Ali Shah, Justice Yahya Afridi, Justice Jamal Khan Mandukhel, Justice Athar Manullah, Justice Musrat Hilali, and Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan.
The case under consideration pertains to the letter submitted by six judges of the Islamabad High Court to the Supreme Judicial Council, alleging undue interference in judicial matters by secret agencies. This hearing signifies a critical step in addressing these allegations and ensuring the integrity and independence of the judiciary.
Various stakeholders, including lawyers and the Lahore High Court Bar, have actively engaged in the matter. Several constitutional petitions have been filed in the Supreme Court, each seeking redressal and accountability in light of the grave allegations.
One such petition, filed by PTI’s senior lawyer Hamid Khan on behalf of the Lahore High Court Bar, aims to challenge the constitutionality of the government’s commission of inquiry. Additionally, it advocates for the establishment of a judicial commission comprising Supreme Court judges to conduct a thorough investigation into the allegations and to hold the implicated parties accountable.
Similarly, senior lawyer Aitzaz Ahsan has filed a constitutional petition requesting the formation of a judicial commission modeled after the memo commission to probe the allegations. Another petition, submitted by Mian Dawood Advocate, echoes these sentiments, emphasizing the necessity of a judicial commission to address the concerns raised by the judges’ letter.
The letter, penned by six judges of the Islamabad High Court on March 26, raised serious questions about the independence and integrity of the judiciary in the face of alleged interference by secret agencies. Initially, the Prime Minister initiated an inquiry commission in consultation with the Chief Justice. However, Chief Justice Qazi Faiz Isa subsequently took notice of the matter himself, underscoring its gravity and significance.
