ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa affirmed on Wednesday that the Supreme Court is resolute in not allowing any interference in judicial matters, stressing the gravity with which the court is treating the letter from Islamabad High Court judges.
These statements were made during a hearing by the apex court regarding a suo motu notice taken regarding the letter by Islamabad High Court (IHC) judges, which raised concerns about alleged interference by intelligence agencies in judicial affairs.
Addressing the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court in this case, the Chief Justice highlighted that the letter specifically mentions the Supreme Judicial Council, suggesting it does not pertain directly to the Supreme Court.
The hearing of the suo motu notice is underway with a seven-member SC bench led by Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa and including Justices Syed Mansoor Ali Shah, Yahya Afridi, Jamal Khan Mandokhel, Athar Minallah, Musarrat Hilali, and Naeem Akhtar Afghan.
The proceedings of the hearing are being conducted live by the SC.
CJP Isa emphasized during the hearing the importance of ensuring judges’ safety and reiterated the zero-tolerance stance on compromising judicial independence.
However, he questioned the absence of lawyers demanding the suo motu notice when there were no full-court meetings convened in four years, clarifying that such meetings are administrative rather than judicial in nature.
The Chief Justice vowed to protect the judiciary against any attacks on its independence while expressing discontent over external interference in judicial affairs.
Regarding the discussion on social media and the appointment of former Chief Justice Tasadduq Hussain Jillani to head the inquiry commission, the CJP highlighted the court’s role in consulting on names but emphasized that the authority to form the commission lies with the government.
The Attorney General assured the court of the government’s commitment to safeguarding the independence of the judiciary and addressed concerns raised about social media pressure.
The Chief Justice expressed dissatisfaction with the premature publication of petitions in the media and criticized lawyers attempting to pressure the court for suo motu notices, asserting that he does not yield to such pressures.
CJP Isa suggested that lawyers seeking suo motu notices should refrain from legal practice.
The Attorney General reiterated the government’s support for judicial independence following his statement before the court.
(Islamabad51_Newsdesk)
