Pak military seeks action against outspoken judge

■ Justice Siddiqui accused ISI of manipulating judicial procedures

The Pakistan military on Sunday asked the Supreme Court to initiate appropriate process against Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui’s remarks regarding interference of the country’s intelligence agency ISI in judicial matters.

In a post on Twitter, the military said: “An honourable judge of Islamabad High Court of Pakistan has levelled serious allegations against state institutions including honourable judiciary and the premier state intelligence agency.”

It added: “Honourable Supreme Court of Pakistan has been requested to launch inquiry to ascertain the veracity of the allegations levelled against state institution.”

Later Sunday, Chief Justice of Pakistan ( CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar responded to the remarks of Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui regarding interference of intelligence agency in judicial matters.

In a statement, the top judge said that the judiciary was working independently and free from any pressure.

“I read about the statement of a judge and was deeply disappointed,” he added.

The CJP vowed to launch an investigation into the matter and bring the facts to light.

Justice Siddiqui had accused the Inter- Services Intelligence ( ISI) of manipulating the judicial procedures.

He also appealed the

Supreme Judicial Council ( SJC) to conduct an open trial against him if needed.

Justice Siddiqui said

that Pakistan can be compared with India, Bangladesh or Sri Lanka instead of comparing with the United States or Europe.

“India will be a bigger economic power by 2030 and we are going backward,” he said.