IHC CJ calls full court meeting to address six IHC judges’ allegations

ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice Aamer Farooq of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) has convened a full court meeting to address the issue raised by six IHC judges who wrote a letter to the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) alleging interference in judicial matters.

According to reliable sources, the full court meeting is scheduled to commence at 2:30 pm on Tuesday. Previously, Chief Justice Aamer Farooq had requested proposals from all judges of the IHC.

Sources familiar with the matter indicated that the IHC chief justice, under the direction of the Supreme Court, had asked the judges to submit their proposals by Monday, April 22. Additionally, proposals were also sought from Islamabad’s District and Sessions judges.

The decision to convene the full court meeting followed the submission of recommendations by the judges, as per the sources.

It’s worth noting that Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Justice Qazi Faez Isa took suo moto notice on April 1 of the letter written by IHC judges, where they alleged interference by intelligence agencies in judicial affairs.

This development occurred subsequent to a letter penned by prominent IHC 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, addressed to the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC).

In their letter, they sought guidance from the SJC on the responsibilities of a judge in reporting and responding to actions by members of the executive, including intelligence agency operatives, that interfere with their official duties and constitute intimidation.

The Supreme Court’s larger bench originally comprised Justice Mansoor Ali Shah, Justice Yahya Afridi, Justice Jamal Mandokhail, Justice Athar Minallah, Justice Musarrat Hilali, and Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan.

However, Justice Yahya Afridi later recused himself from the seven-member bench, suggesting that the apex court should refrain from proceeding with the case on a judicial level.