SJC petitioned against Justice Kayani

Complainant accuses IHC senior puisne judge of adopting an ‘anti-state agenda’

ISLAMABAD:

A complaint has been lodged with the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) against Islamabad High Court (IHC) Senior Puisne Judge Mohsin Akhtar Kayani, seeking his removal over alleged misconduct.

Former secretary of the Islamabad High Court Bar Association (IHCBA), Waqas Malik Advocate, filed the complaint, accusing the judge of pursuing an "anti-state agenda" and colluding with other IHC judges. These alleged actions, deemed as misconduct, warrant his removal from the post.

Justice Kayani is among six judges who, on March 27, wrote a letter to the SJC chairman--Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa, citing alleged interference by intelligence agencies in judicial matters.

The letter stirred controversy, prompting the federal government to announce the formation of an inquiry commission after consultation with CJ Isa.

Subsequently, the apex court initiated suo moto proceedings following former chief justice Tassaduq Hussain Jillani's recusal from heading the proposed inquiry commission.

Coincidentally, the letter by IHC judges was followed by a series of threatening and poison-pen letters sent to judges of the higher judiciary by anonymous individuals.

PTI condemns complaint against Kayani

Meanwhile, the PTI vehemently denounced the complaints filed against Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani, asserting that these complaints are part of the government's efforts to intimidate and harass judges.

Following the party's core committee meeting in Lahore on Monday, a statement was issued, highlighting that the complaint against a specific judge amid the poison-pen letters saga indicated an organized anti-judiciary agenda.

The party urged the chief justice of Pakistan to investigate the incidents of direct and indirect harassment against judges and identify those responsible for orchestrating this organized campaign.