In an extreme move, demands have emerged from several sectors for a comprehensive inquiry into the grave allegations made by 6 justices of the Islamabad High Court (IHC). These justices, who make up the majority of the IHC bench, recently wrote a letter to the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) disclosing alarming details of excessive control and coercion that intelligence agencies imposed on the legal system.
The letter, which is addressed to respected members of the Supreme Judicial Court (SJC) and Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa among other notable individuals, exposes heinous crimes like the kidnapping and torture of judges relatives, covert surveillance inside their homes, and attempts to sway court decisions. Moreover, it calls into doubt the legitimacy of a state-sponsored program designed to frighten and pressure judges.
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Legal organizations including the Sindh High Court Bar Association (SHCBA), Lahore High Court Bar Association (LHCBA), and IHC Bar Association (IHCBA) have expressed worry about the situation and demanded open investigations. They stress how crucial it is to protect judicial independence and guarantee impartial decision-making that is unaffected by outside forces.
Additionally, the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) has encouraged that CJP Isa begin suo motu lawsuits according with Article 184(three) of the Constitution in an effort to ensure a radical and open inquiry. They place an excessive cost on the necessity of protective the judiciary’s independence from outside strain and mistaken have an impact on.
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is the various political agencies which have joined those calling for an impartial research into these severe accusations. Despite being in jail in the meanwhile, former high minister Imran Khan has harassed the significance of a fair inquiry and described the meddling through intelligence services as a grave risk to the independence of the courts.
Moreover, the Balochistan Bar Council and former Attorney General Ashtar Ausaf have stressed the importance of the situation and called for swift action to resolve these issues and rebuild public trust in the legal system.
The growing call for an open investigation, as the country waits for more information, emphasizes how critical it is to protect the rule of law and the integrity of the legal system.