AGP defends Justice Babar Sattar amid social media campaign

Clears air on IHC judge's 'clean', beyond reproach financial affairs

ISLAMABAD:

Rejecting the social media campaign targeting Islamabad High Court (IHC) Judge Babar Sattar, Attorney General for Pakistan (AGP) Mansoor Awan has said that the judge's financial matters are clean and beyond reproach.

In an exclusive conversation with The Express Tribune, Awan mentioned that he was a partner with Justice Babar Sattar in a law firm and, as a partner, he had thoroughly reviewed all the documentary records of Justice Babar Sattar's financial affairs before he was nominated a judge of the high court.

He also disclosed that the services of a chartered accountant were enlisted to scrutinise Justice Sattar's documentary records, which were subsequently presented to the Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP). Justice Sattar had also distanced himself from any business ventures.

Furthermore, AGP clarified that if anyone were to lodge a complaint with the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) against Justice Babar Sattar, he would resign from his position and defend him.

Mansoor Awan mentioned that Justice Babar Sattar had informed the then chief justice of the IHC about his possession of a green card, pointing out that there is no legal impediment for a judge to hold dual nationality.

Read also: IHC slams online campaign against its judge

There is no legal obligation for a judge to disclose their dual nationality status the AGP added.

AGP stated that he would ask the government to instruct the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to take action against individuals involved in campaigning against Justice Babar Sattar.

Last week, the IHC said that a "malicious campaign" was underway against Justice Babar Sattar on social media, which involved the unauthorised disclosure of confidential information and documents belonging to the judge.

Justice Sattar is among the six IHC judges who have raised concerns about interference in judicial matters by the country's intelligence agencies.