The Supreme Court of Pakistan has firmly dismissed objections raised by the then-Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM)-led government concerning the composition of a five-member bench assigned to investigate alleged audio leaks involving Supreme Court judges. The bench, led by Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial, included Justices Ijazul Ahsen, Munib Akhtar, Syed Hassan Azhar Rizvi, and Shahid Waheed.

The government had requested the recusal of Chief Justice Bandial, Justice Ahsen, and Justice Akhtar from the bench, contending that their alleged connections to the leaked audio compromised their impartiality. The court, in a short verdict announced by Justice Ahsan, firmly stated that the objections amounted to an "attack on the independence of the judiciary."

The case revolves around leaked audio recordings that implicated several judges, including Chief Justice Bandial, Justice Ahsan, and Justice Akhtar. Earlier, the bench had suspended proceedings of the inquiry commission established to investigate these audio leaks. The government's plea argued that judges should not preside over cases involving their relatives, citing judicial precedent and ethical considerations.

This decision underscores the judiciary's commitment to maintaining its independence and impartiality in high-profile cases, ensuring the integrity of the justice system.

Published in The Daily National Courier, September, 08 2023

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