Results for: judicial interference

Multiple petitions have been filed in the Supreme Court (SC) demanding the formation of a full court over allegations of intelligence agency interference in judicial matters. The Balochistan Bar Council and Balochistan High Court Bar Association have filed these petitions, seeking the annulment of the one-man commission appointed by the government to investigate the claims and requesting guidelines from the apex court to prevent such incidents in the future. The SC had taken suo motu notice of these allegations after a letter was sent by IHC judges complaining of interference in judicial affairs. The hearing for this suo motu case is scheduled to resume on April 29. The IHC’s full court meeting has also unanimously decided to give an “institutional response” to any potential meddling in the court’s affairs.

Multiple lawyers’ organizations have approached the Supreme Court of Pakistan, urging the formation of a full court to address allegations of interference in judicial matters by intelligence agencies. The petitions request the court to provide guidelines for preventing future incidents and to ensure severe punishment for those responsible for such interference.

In a significant development, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) has unanimously agreed to provide an institutional response to any interference in the court’s affairs, according to well-placed sources. The full court meeting, chaired by Chief Justice Aamer Farooq, finalized proposals to submit to the Supreme Court regarding alleged meddling by intelligence agencies in judicial matters. Six judges of the IHC had previously written to the Supreme Judicial Council, seeking guidance on such interference. The Supreme Court initiated suo motu proceedings and sought suggestions from various stakeholders. In response, the IHC’s full court meeting suggested an institutional response to address such issues, suggesting a draft of proposals to be submitted to the Supreme Court within the April 25th deadline.