In Islamabad, the Chief Justice of Pakistan emphasized that a judge who remains inactive in the face of interference should reconsider their role on the bench.
A Supreme Court larger bench addressed a suo motu case regarding reported interference in the Islamabad High Court judiciary.
During the proceedings, the Attorney General requested additional time to submit a response by the following day.
Justice Athar Minullah reiterated that the federal government should address the allegations of interference, emphasizing that it controls the agencies and must clarify its stance.
Representatives from the Pakistan Bar Council advocated for a judicial inquiry into the conduct of six judges, proposing the formation of a judicial commission to investigate and penalize any wrongdoing.
Justice Athar Minullah underscored the importance of acknowledging judicial interference, citing instances dating back to 2018/19, urging transparency and courage in confronting such challenges.
In response, the Chief Justice disagreed with any notion of complacency in the face of interference, asserting that judges should take action when confronted with such issues.
Justice Athar Minullah reiterated concerns about ongoing interference and questioned measures to curb this trend, citing admissions from the Attorney General regarding challenges faced by independent judges.
Both judges and the Attorney General acknowledged the need for honesty in addressing collusion and interference within the judiciary.
The Chief Justice emphasized that sitting on the bench is unjustifiable if collusion persists, underscoring the importance of maintaining judicial integrity.
