PBC, SCBA reject demand for CJP’s resignation

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) and Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) Saturday commended the government decision to form an inquiry commission and appoint former chief justice of Pakistan (CJP) Tassaduq Hussain Jillani as its head to investigate the serious allegations levelled by six judges of the Islamabad High Court against the state institutions about interference in judicial affairs.

The SCBA welcomed the former CJP’s nomination and said he was “known for his impeccable character”. The body said demanding resignations of CJP Qazi Faez Isa and the Islamabad High Court (IHC) chief justice “by political individuals in response to this issue is highly inappropriate”, adding that such calls from political individuals would only serve to “politicise and divert attention from the crucial matter at hand”.

The association urged everyone to await findings of the inquiry commission and “maintain faith in the judicial system”.

SCBA President Shahzad Shaukat and Secretary Syed Ali Imran, PBC Vice Chairman Riazat Ali Sahar and Chairman of the PBC Executive Committee Farooq Hamid Naek strongly condemned and rejected the demand made by a political party for the resignation of CJP Justice Qazi Faez Isa.

In a statement issued here on Saturday, they characterised it as a component of a premeditated smear campaign and a fresh onslaught against the chief justice of Pakistan by the political party, which persistently tarnishes and targets the CJP for political advantage and damaging the judiciary.

“The allegations put forward by six judges of the Islamabad High Court should be probed promptly by the forum recently discussed and decided in the meeting of Chief Justice of Pakistan,” they said.

If proven true, they said, these allegations present a grave threat to the institution, necessitating serious action, adding that judges must be afforded privacy and protection, which is the prime responsibility of the state.

They reiterated that the PBC and entire legal fraternity stand firmly with the Chief Justice of Pakistan and the entire judiciary of Pakistan.

They said they had decided to convene a general body meeting very soon for further deliberation on the matter.