In Islamabad, over 300 lawyers from various parts of the country have jointly filed a petition with the Supreme Court invoking Article 184-3 of the Constitution.
This petition is in response to a letter penned by six judges of the Islamabad High Court, alleging undue interference and pressure from agencies in judicial matters. The lawyers, including prominent figures like Salman Akram Raja and Iman Zainab Mazari, have issued a statement condemning such interference and demanding the protection of judicial independence.
Citing the letter from the six judges of the Islamabad High Court dated March 25, 2024, the lawyers express their steadfast commitment to upholding the rule of law, judicial independence, and ensuring access to justice. They endorse resolutions passed by various bar associations, expressing solidarity with the six judges and calling for measures to safeguard judicial independence.
The statement highlights concerns raised in the letter regarding pressure, torture, and surveillance of judges and their families by secret agency officials, emphasizing the gravity of these allegations. It references previous incidents of judicial pressure, including those involving former Justice Shaukat Uzair Siddiqui, stressing the need for impartial inquiries to maintain the integrity of the judiciary.
Moreover, the lawyers invoke past Supreme Court judgments on judicial independence, underscoring the detrimental impact of systemic pressure on the justice system’s credibility. They argue that a judiciary free from fear is essential for ensuring fair trials and upholding the rule of law.
To address these issues, the lawyers call for a nationwide bar convention to formulate a unified strategy to bolster judicial independence. They urge the Supreme Court to intervene under Article 184-3, emphasizing the importance of transparent proceedings to restore public confidence in the judiciary.
Furthermore, they advocate for the formation of a bench comprising all available judges to hear the matter and suggest live telecasts of proceedings to prevent politicization. The lawyers express dissatisfaction with the government’s decision to appoint a commission without full court consensus, stressing its inconsistency with the principle of judicial independence.
Following discussions between the Chief Justice of Pakistan, senior judges, and government officials, former Chief Justice Tasadeq Hussain Jilani has been appointed to head the commission tasked with investigating the judges’ allegations. The commission has been granted two months to submit its report and is empowered to seek cooperation from relevant parties.
