SJC seeks explanations from two HC judges

Reviews misconduct allegations against SHC, IHC judges

ISLAMABAD:

The Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) has sought explanations from two high court judges over complaints of alleged misconduct filed against them.

It is learnt that the SJC, headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Yahya Afridi, has formally asked both judges to respond to the allegations. One of the judges is currently serving at the Sindh High Court (SHC), while the other is serving at the Islamabad High Court (IHC).

One of the judges has been asked to explain why she accompanied sacked IHC judge Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri during his appearance before the SHC.

In September 2025, a complaint was filed against her in the SJC. The complainant alleged that Jahangiri had travelled to Karachi to hear a fake degree case, and that the respondent judge cancelled the cause list of her bench from September 24 to 26 and appeared alongside Justice Jahangiri in the SHC.

The complainant further stated that the respondent judge delisted cases without any personal or official justification, adding that one judge cannot appear in proceedings before another judge.

It was also alleged that the respondent judge attempted to influence the SHC bench and violated her oath and the judicial code of conduct.

The SJC has also sought an explanation from another judge on allegations of not providing a proper right of audience in a "sensitive case". It is learnt that the council recently decided to seek explanations from both judges and has now formally initiated the process.

Interestingly, both judges were signatories to the widely discussed "famous letter" addressed to the SJC, seeking guidance on alleged interference by executive agencies in judicial functions.

In March 2024, six IHC judges wrote an open letter to the SJC, alleging intimidation and "brazen meddling" in judicial affairs by an intelligence agency in politically significant cases.

The matter remains pending due to ongoing suo motu proceedings.

Senior lawyers believe that the history of the SJC suggests it has often been more active against judges who are not considered to be in the good books of the executive.

On Thursday, the SJC also considered complaints of misconduct against its own members. However, the council's statement did not clearly specify the outcome or fate of those complaints.

It is noteworthy that prior to his removal, former IHC judge Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri had filed a misconduct complaint against the current IHC Chief Justice Sardar Muhammad Sarfraz Dogar, who is also a member of the council.

Jahangiri had alleged that CJ Dogar was under "immense pressure" for the expeditious disposal of a quo warranto petition against him.

According to the complaint, Justice Dogar allegedly suggested, both directly and indirectly, that if Jahangiri submitted a post-dated resignation and handed it over for safekeeping, it would help ease external pressure and allow the proceedings to be concluded.

In his complaint, Jahangiri further alleged that the chief justice had not been "truthful of tongue".

He claimed that an order announced in open court on September 16, 2025, was "diametrically opposed and completely inconsistent" with a subsequent chamber order.

The second order, he claimed, was issued in a "duplicitous manner".

The fate of this complaint against the IHC chief justice remains unclear.