Pakistan Chief Justice Says Interference In Judicial Matters Won’t Be Tolerated

Pakistan’s Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa has said that interference by the executive in judicial workings of judges will not be tolerated.

The comment comes after judges of the high court wrote a letter alleging interference by intelligence agencies. This has led to the government ordering a probe into the allegations.

Isa’s comment came after a meeting with prime minister Shehbaz Sharif.  According to a statement issued by the Supreme Court, Isa in his meeting with the PM said that interference would not be tolerated.

“The CJP[chief justice of Pakistan] clearly stated that interference by the Executive in the affairs and judicial workings of Judges will not be tolerated and under no circumstances can independence of the judiciary be allowed to be compromised,” it read.

During the meeting, the chief justice laid down that the independence of judiciary being a foundational pillar that upholds the rule of law and a strong democracy.

“During the meeting a proposal was made to constitute an Inquiry Commission under the Pakistan Commissions of Inquiry Act, 2017 which should be headed by a retired Judge of impeccable integrity to inquire into the matter,” the statement said.

Prime minister Sharif is said to have endorsed the views of the chief justice and has assured that he would be taking appropriate measures to ensure an independent judiciary, including issuance of directions to the relevant departments.

This is the first time that sitting judges of high court have levelled serious allegations and accusations against intelligence operatives and agencies for interfering in judicial matters and trying to enforce their directives and dictations to the judges in their decision making.

“The situation is very alarming and it needs a thorough probe,” said Mansoor Usman Awan, Attorney General of Pakistan (AGP).

In a letter dated March 25, the judges urged the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) to look into the allegations against officials belonging to the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).