Govt to place IHC judges’ letter before cabinet for formation of inquiry commission

Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar on Thursday said that the federal government would place a letter from six judges of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) alleging interference in judicial affairs by the country’s intelligence apparatus for consideration before the federal cabinet to constitute an inquiry commission.

Tarar was addressing a press conference in Islamabad following a meeting today between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa.

Earlier in the day, PM Shehbaz met CJP Isa at the Supreme Court, Radio Pakistan reported. Tarar and Attorney General of Pakistan (AGP) Mansoor Usman Awan were also present during the meeting, according to the state broadcaster.

Legal experts highlighted that the meeting was far from ordinary, and differed significantly from a past interaction between former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and former CJP Saqib Nisar when the two were in office.

After the meeting, CJP Isa summoned a second full court meeting in as many days, Dawn.com correspondent Abdullah Momand confirmed.

The developments come a day after the apex court held a full court meeting to take stock of allegations levelled by six IHC judges — out of a total strength of eight — against interference in judicial affairs by the country’s intelligence apparatus.

An informed source told Dawn that yesterday’s sitting considered initiating suo motu proceedings under Article 184(3) of the Constitution in light of the letter, but no final decision was taken in this regard. AGP Awan also met CJP Isa on Wednesday and in an interaction with the media, described the situation as “very alarming”, which needed a thorough probe.

Speaking after the meeting between the premier and the top judge, the law minister said that foremostly, there was a need to investigate the matter, adding it was decided that the government would place the judges’ letter before Friday’s federal cabinet session and the prime minister would strive for a neutral, nonpartisan and retired legal personality to be requested to head an inquiry commission and submit a report after investigating in accordance with the law.

He added that the premier also reassured that it was the government’s duty to ensure an investigation into the matter and that such allegations, if they were true, did not reoccur in the future.