ISLAMABAD: The Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa has issued a stern warning against any attempts to undermine the independence of the judiciary, as the Supreme Court commenced hearing the suo motu on a letter by six Islamabad High Court (IHC) judges alleging interference by the country’s intelligence apparatus in judicial affairs.
According to media reports, former Chief Justice of Pakistan Tassaduq Hussain Jillani’s recusal from heading a one-man inquiry commission prompted hints towards forming a full court to address the matter.
The hearing, presided over by a seven-member bench of the apex court including CJP Qazi Faez Isa and other justices, witnessed Attorney General for Pakistan Mansoor Usman Awan appearing alongside legal representatives of various stakeholders.
During the proceedings, Chief Justice Isa stressed the judiciary’s resolve to maintain independence, stating, “If there is any kind of attack on the judiciary’s independence, I would be at the frontline [in defending judiciary] and for sure, my fellow judges would be standing with me in this.”
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He further stressed the need for institutions to operate within their confines and highlighted the importance of accountability, asserting, “Every institution should remain within its limits.”
The discussion also touched upon the letter from the IHC judges alleging coercion by intelligence agencies, with attention drawn to the powers and limitations of the inquiry commission.
Former Chief Justice Jillani’s letter to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, declining to head the commission, cited concerns over jurisdictional propriety and relevance of the terms of reference.
The situation unfolded after a group of lawyers and civil society members urged the Supreme Court to initiate suo motu proceedings, following the rejection of the one-man commission deemed “powerless”.
The letter from the IHC judges, dated March 25, raised alarming allegations of pressure exerted through abduction, torture of relatives, and secret surveillance, prompting calls for judicial intervention.
As the hearings progress, the judiciary faces the task of addressing the delicate balance between independence, accountability, and the rule of law in Pakistan.
