April 05, 2024
PRESS RELEASE

The 242nd (emergent) meeting of the Pakistan Bar Council, was held today at 01:30 p.m., in Council’s Office, Supreme Court Building, Islamabad, with Mr. Riazat Ali Sahar, Vice-Chairman, Pakistan Bar Council in the Chair.

The Council considered the letter dated 25-03-2024 of six Hon’ble Judges of the Islamabad High Court addressed to Chairman and Members of the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) in respect of interference of intelligence agencies in judicial affairs and to determine the course of action, and unanimously resolved as under;

RESOLUTION
1. Judges hold the highest esteem in our nation, carrying the significant responsibility of adjudicating cases and meticulously deliberating allegations before reaching verdicts. They epitomize the foundation of our legal system, embodying independence and impartiality, free from political or external pressures, to administer justice untainted by extraneous moral, internal or external influences.

2. The demand for the resignation of the Chief Justice of Pakistan and Chief Justice of Islamabad High Court and campaign on social media against them is uncalled for as such as the said demand tantamount to strengthening hands of those people who wants division in the judiciary of Pakistan. Thus it is strongly condemned. Calling for their resignation would not only undermine the judiciary but also fail to resolve the existing issues. Instead, it would worsen the situation, leaving the country without a guiding figure to navigate through these critical challenges.

3. When judges express concern through a written letter, it signifies a moment of great significance and concern to independent working of judicial system of Pakistan. Thus to safeguard law, constitution and fundamental rights of citizens of Pakistan as envisaged in Constitution of Pakistan, a comprehensive investigation into these allegations is not only justified but necessary. The fact that it is the judges themselves raising these concerns implies that they have been cornered by agencies, leading them to cry for assistance from the highest legal forum in hierarchy of judicial system of Pakistan.

4. Hence, it is resolved that an impartial investigation, devoid of any external interference, is crucial to reveal the truth for which formation of Judicial Commission by the Supreme Court of Pakistan comprising of sitting Judges to settle issues raised by six Judges is the need of the hour.

5. It was further resolved that Supreme Court is requested to decide the Suo Moto Case No.01/2024 expeditiously.

SECRETARY