SC takes suo motu notice of IHC judges' letter, to take up case on Wednesday

The Supreme Court has taken a suo motu notice of the letter written to the Supreme Judicial Council by six judges of the Islamabad High Court. 

A seven-member bench of the SC, headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa, will hear the case at 11:30am on Wednesday. Justice Mansoor Ali Shah, Justice Yahya Afridi, Justice Jamal Mandokhel, Justice Athar Minallah, Justice Musarrat Hilali, Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan are also part of the bench. 

On Saturday, the federal cabinet has approved the constitution of an inquiry commission to investigate the letter of six judges from the Islamabad High Court. Former chief justice of Pakistan, Tasadduq Hussain Jilani, has been nominated as the head of the inquiry commission. 

Also Read: Federal cabinet approves inquiry commission to investigate IHC judges' letter

The cabinet meeting denied the allegations of the ICH judges of the executive's interference. The cabinet members were of the unanimous opinion that they strongly believed in the principle of decentralization of powers in state institutions. 

The cabinet also approved the TORs of the commission of inquiry. As per the terms of reference of the commission, if necessary, the head of the commission can seek the services of anyone. The commission will be given a timeframe of 60 days to prepare its report.

The letter addressed to the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) by judges of the Islamabad High Court, alleging interference in judiciary matters, sparked controversy. IHC Justices Mohsin Akhtar Kayani, Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri, Babar Sattar, Sardar Ejaz Ishaq Khan, Arbab Muhammad Tahir, and Saman Rafat Imtiaz had signed the letter, which was dated March 25. 

Also Read: IHC judges' letter: Bar councils welcome inquiry commission formed by govt

It listed seven alleged instances of interference and intimidation by the intelligence officials “to influence the outcome of cases of interest.”

It also pointed out that two of the three judges sitting on the bench hearing the case to remove PTI Founder Imran Khan for allegedly concealing his daughter expressed their opinion that the case could not be pursued because they felt pressured by “operatives of the ISI” through friends and family. 

The letter stated that one of the judges had to be hospitalized due to high blood pressure because the situation had become so stressful.

The six judges stated that the then-CJP and the IHC chief justice were informed about the situation. "I have spoken to the DG-C of ISI and have been assured that no official from ISI will approach the judges of the IHC," the former told the judges.