CJP calls full court meeting over alleged interference of spy agencies in judiciary
A full court meeting of the Supreme Court has been called by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa over a letter by the six Islamabad High Court (IHC) judges about alleged interference of spy agencies in judiciary.
Meanwhile, The Sindh, Lahore, Islamabad and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa bar associations and senior lawyers have called for an investigation into the alleged interference of country’s spy agencies in the judiciary, as stated in the letter to the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) by six Islamabad High Court judges.
The Sindh High Court Bar Association, in an emergency meeting today, reviewed the letter written by the IHC judges.
In a statement, the SHCBA has demanded the formation of a threemember judicial commission — comprising Supreme Court judges — to investigate the letter.
Expressing concern over the "interference", the SHCBA stated: "Interference in the affairs of the judiciary is tantamount to attacking the judicial system." The lawyer's body also lauded the IHC judges for exposing the interference, terming it a commendable act.
Meanwhile, the Islamabad High Court Bar Association also expressed concern, stating that it fully believes in the independence and autonomy of the judiciary as the main feature of the Constitution.
"Public confidence in the justice system is linked to the independence and autonomy of the judiciary," the bar said, adding that a question mark on the judiciary harms the justice system and society. The body, in its statement, said it stands with the principles of the rule of law, independence of judiciary and autonomy.
The bar demanded assurance that the judges should be able to perform their duty while adhering to the constitutional principle of an independent and autonomous judiciary.
The bar "strongly" condemned the interference by any institution in the affairs of another institution
The Islamabad High Court Bar Association upholds the rule of law, the supremacy of the Constitution and an independent and autonomous judiciary in the country, it added, demanding Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa to conduct an inquiry and take action against those involved in the matter.
The bar said it will not hesitate to launch a movement for the sake of judiciary's independence.
The Lahore Bar Association also condemned the interference and influence in the judiciary's decisions, as pointed out in the letter of the IHC judges.