SC issues notices in plea by sacked IHC judge

Seeks reply on allegation of involvement of spy agencies to manipulate judicial proceedings

ISLAMABAD:

The Supreme Court has issued a notice to the Attorney General for Pakistan as well as the federal government through the law ministry over former Islamabad High Court judge Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui's petition against his removal by the Supreme Judicial Council.

A five-judge larger bench headed by Justice Umar Ata Bandial on Thursday resumed hearing of the case.

The petitioner judge requested the SC to set aside a report/opinion of the SJC and notification issued by the Ministry of Law and Justice on October 11, 2018.

President Arif Alvi had removed Justice Siddiqui as judge of the IHC on the recommendation of the SJC.

The president had taken the decision under Article 209(5) on the SJC recommendation under Article 209(6) read with Article 48(1) of the Constitution, a notification issued by the Ministry of Law and Justice stated.

The council unanimously opined that while delivering a speech before the District Bar Association in Rawalpindi on July 21, 2018, Justice Siddiqui had displayed a conduct unbecoming of a high court judge.

During the hearing, leading judge Justice Bandial pointed out that scandalous language is used in petitions filed by the Islamabad High Court Bar Association and the Sindh High Court Bar Association in the same matter.

The judge also asked Islamabad Bar Council attorney Salahuddin Ahmed if there is allegation of spy agencies’ involvement to manipulate judicial proceedings. However, no evidence is attached in this regard.

The counsel replied that the petition is filed on the basis of public perception.

However, Justice Ijazul Ahsan said that his argument about public perception is vague.

“Has Gallup conducted a survey about manipulation of judicial proceedings by agencies? If the survey is done, how many people gave their opinions in this regard?”

Salahuddin replied many cases are filed in the courts on the basis of public perception and no one asks about Gallup surveys.

The bench, while issuing notice to the AGP and the federation, adjourned the hearing until next month.