ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi  Faez Isa has remarked country is heading towards democracy, therefore, democracy is coming in Supreme Court (SC).  He further remarked institutions are not bad. People are bad. Destruction comes in the country because  institutions are scolded rather than people. Institutions are  run by people. We will not allow any one to allege some one behind one’s back.

The  CJP gave  these remarks while presiding over five members  larger bench of SC during the hearing of former judge Islamabad High Court (IHC) Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui dismissal case here Thursday.

Hamid Khan counsel for Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui gave assurance to file application to make Justice (Retd) Anwar Kansi and others respondents.  Federal government raised question over maintainability of Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui petition.  The CJP remarked now a days people become journalists by holding phone.  Those who become journalists by holding mobile  should think that decision has come on practice and procedure act. Justice Tariq Masood and Justice Ijaz ul Ahsan had refused to join the bench.  I have not removed any judge from bench. It is my Endeavour that we should proceed with consensus or in democratic way in the  committee. We are heading towards democracy and democracy is coming in the court as well.

Hamid Khan read out the speech which led to dismissal of justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui. The CJP inquired who was the chief justice of high court then. How Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) came to know about the speech.  Hamid Khan replied Anwar Kansi was chief justice in Islamabad High Court (IHC). Registrar SC had written note  to SJC. The CJP inquired who had asked Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui to give decision of whim . The counsel replied Faiz Hameed had gone to home of  Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui along with a brigadier. The CJP remarked why those against whom you are leveling allegations have not been  made respondents. Make those two persons respondents against whom you are leveling allegations. We will not run case on pre-assumptions.

The counsel replied they have no objection over making them respondents.  CJP remarked  in person he is opposed to keep SJC proceedings secret. To my view if some allegation comes on some judge then the proceedings of the SJC should  be open. Hamid Khan and Bar councils requested to file application to make Faiz Hameed respondent. The CJP remarked you are hesitating. Therefore we fix the hearing in January. If you file the petition for making them respondents today then we will issue  notice on next hearing. Hamid Khan said we will file petition for making those respondents upon whom we have placed allegation. The hearing of the case was adjourned till Friday.

Published in The Daily National Courier, December, 15 2023

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