SIC seeks NA discussion on IHC letter

Decides to submit adjournment motion in the lower house

ISLAMABAD:

 

The Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC), the leading opposition party in parliament comprising PTI-backed lawmakers, has decided to submit an adjournment motion in the National Assembly seeking a "serious discussion" on alleged state interference in judicial matters.

The motion will be submitted to the NA Speaker by MNA Aamir Ali Dogar under Rule 109 of the National Assembly Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business, 2007, and will be signed by all SIC lawmakers in the lower house of parliament.

The motion demands the routine proceedings of the assembly to be suspended in view of the situation arising from the letter written by six Islamabad High Court (IHC) judges to the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) chairman regarding alleged meddling in the court's affairs by state institutions.

It states that the Constitution explicitly ensures the complete independence of the judiciary, adding that the revelations made by the IHC judges indicate that the state and the current government have failed to safeguard this independence. Justice, which is the fundamental right of every citizen, is being compromised, it adds.

According to the motion, former prime minister Imran Khan, along with thousands of others, is currently in jail as a result of the state’s interference in judicial matters.

"We demand a transparent investigation of this matter," it says, adding that "preservation of judicial independence, and provision of justice to every citizen be seriously debated in the National Assembly."
On Tuesday, six IHC judges sent a letter to the SJC chairman, Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa, highlighting the coercive tactics employed by intelligence agencies to influence the judiciary.

The letter whipped up a storm, prompting the SC to hold a full-court meeting. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also met CJ Isa at the latter's request on Thursday. Later, the government announced the formation of an inquiry commission led by a retired judge to probe the allegations.