ISLAMABAD: Supreme Court of Pakistan formed new bench to hear suo motu case regarding allegations of interference by intelligence agencies in judicial functions.

New bench has been constituted after Justice Yahya Afridi recused himself from hearing. Apart from Justice Yahya Afridi, all other six members of previous bench are part of new six-member bench.

Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa would head bench which also comprises Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah, Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhaill, Justice Athar Minallah, Justice Musarrat Hilali and Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan.

Chief Justice Justice Qazi Faez Isa on April 1 took suo moto notice of IHC judges’ letter in which they alleged interference by intelligence agencies in judicial matters.

IHC top judges including Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kiyani, Justice Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri, Justice Baqir Sattar, Justice Sardar Ejaz Ishaq Khan, Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir, and Justice Salman Rafat Imtiaz-penned the letter to SJC in aftermath of Supreme Court’s March 22 judgement on Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui’s dismissal case.

In letter, top judges sought guidance from Supreme Judicial Council with regard to duty of “Judge to report and respond to actions on part of members of executive, including operatives of intelligence agencies, that seek to interfere with discharge of his/her official functions and qualify as intimidation”.

At outset of hearing, CJP Isa directed Attorney General to present press release issued after full court meeting.

Published in The Daily National Courier, April, 26 2024

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