ISLAMABAD: A petition raising objections against three judges of five-judge larger bench-formed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Justice Umar Ata Bandial to hear petitions against inquiry commission probing audio leaks involving judges-was filed by government here.

In its plea, government requested that new bench be formed to hear petitions against high-powered judicial commission headed by Justice Qazi Faez Isa, as matter of ‘conflict of interest’ was involved in present five-judge bench.

Petition states that CJP Umar Atta Bandial, Justice Ijaz-ul- Ahsan and Justice Munib Akhtar should not listen to audio leak commission case. It further states that these three respected judges should refuse to sit in five-member larger bench.

“Objection raised by Attorney General for Pakistan Mansoor Usman Awan against CJP’s presence in hearing on May 25 was not accepted”, plea added. It said one of leaked audios before inquiry commission related to CJP’s family member, thus according to judicial decisions and code of conduct, judge cannot hear actions of his relatives.

Plea added that alleged audio leak is also related to Justice Ijaz-ul-Ahsan and Justice Munib Akhtar. Former Chief Minister Punjab Pervaiz Elahi’s audio mentions Justice Ijaz-ul-Ahsan, while audio between two women mentioned Justice Munib Akhar, plea contended as reasons for why these two judges should recuse themselves.

Government had formed inquiry commission on May 20 headed by senior puisne judge Justice Qazi Faez Isa and comprised Balochistan High Court Chief Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan and Islamabad High Court Chief Justice Aamer Farooq.

However, while hearing a set of four petitions against appointment of commission, five-member larger bench headed by CJP Umar Ata Bandial restrained commission from going ahead with its task.

Published in The Daily National Courier, May, 31 2023

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