PTI govt expresses ‘satisfaction’ over SC quashing reference against Justice Isa

It is not a victory or defeat for anyone... it happens in democracy, says PM's aide

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) led government has expressed satisfaction over the Supreme Court’s verdict wherein it quashed the presidential reference filed against Justice Qazi Faez Isa’s for non-disclosure of family members’ properties in his wealth statement.

A 10-judge full court bench led by Justice Umar Ata Bandial on Friday unanimously declared the proceedings of the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) and its show-cause notice as abate.

“Subject to what is stated below, the Order of the Court is that Reference No.1 of 2019 is declared to be of no legal effect whatsoever and stands quashed, and in consequence thereof the proceedings pending in the Supreme Judicial Council (“Council”) against the Petitioner in CP 17/2019 (including the show-cause notice dated 17.07.2019 issued to him) stand abated,” read the short order issued by the apex court.

SC quashes presidential reference against Justice Isa

Soon after the judgement was announced, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Accountability Shahzad Akbar said the government was satisfied with the "wise verdict".

“[The judgement] is not a victory or defeat for anyone… it happens in democracy and it is constitutional scheme of matters,” Akbar said while emphasising that the government including Prime Minister Imran hold superior judiciary and its independence in high regards.

The PM’s aide said the apex court has quashed the presidential reference against Justice Isa but it has referred the matter to the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR).

“Now the FBR will be required to compile the report on Justice Isa’s family members’ assets and submit in the Supreme Judicial Council.”

Akbar also said the SJC will review the report and if Justice Isa was found involved in the case, appropriate action would be taken against him under Article 209.

The PTI-led federal government moved the SJC against Justice Isa in May 2019, claiming that the judge had committed misconduct by not disclosing his family members’ properties in the UK in his wealth statement.

وزیر اطلاعات ونشریات سینیٹر شبلی فراز اور معاون خصوصی شہزاد اکبر کی مشترکہ نیوز کانفرنس۔ https://t.co/eaFdRHocbj

— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) June 19, 2020