Pakistan government does not interfere in judicial matters: SC Judge

Pakistani judge Jamal Khan Mandokhail said on Tuesday that the government is doing nothing regarding the alleged interference in legal matters, Geo News reported. Justice Mandokhail made these remarks as a six-member bench of the Supreme Court, headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa, resumed the suo motu hearing on the Islamabad High Court judges’ letter accusing intelligence agencies of interference. in legal matters.

Also on the bench were Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah, Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhel, Justice Athar Minallah, Justice Musarrat Hilali and Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan. Earlier on March 25, six judges of IHC demanded CJP Isa to convene a judicial convention to discuss the issue of alleged interference of intelligence agents in the judicial functions or ‘intimidation’ of judges in a manner that undermines the independence of the judiciary undermined, Geo reported. News.

Attorney General for Pakistan (AGP) Mansoor Awan said the order should be shown to the Prime Minister to submit the government’s response. Awan added that the government could file its response tomorrow if it received the order today.

Moreover, the Supreme Court Bar Association has also submitted suggestions to the Supreme Court saying that they would never compromise on the independence of the judiciary. The SCBA further called for an investigation against those who intervene in judicial matters.

It said the IHC has the power to hold contempt of court and that it should have held contempt of court action for any interference, as reported by Geo News. The six IHC judges – Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani, Justice Babar Sattar, Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir, Justice Tariq Mahmood Jehangiri, Justice Sardar Ejaz Ishaq Khan and Justice Saman Rifat Imtiaz wrote a letter to the Chief Justice, who is also the chairman of the Supreme Court . Judicial Council (SJC).

They sought further advice from the council on the spy services’ “interference” in legal cases. They state: “We write to seek guidance from the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) regarding a judge’s duty to report on and respond to actions of members of the executive branch, including agents of intelligence agencies, who attempt to interfere with the exercise of his/her official functions and which may constitute harassment, as well as the duty to report such actions that come to his/her attention in relation to colleagues and/or members of the courts subject to Supreme Court oversees.”

Later, the Supreme Court of Pakistan on April 1 took suo motu cognizance of the IHC judges’ letter and formed a seven-member bench headed by CJP Isa to hear the case, Geo News reported. (ANI)

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)