ISLAMABAD: Despite initial indications of convening a full court to address the suo motu notice regarding alleged interference by the country’s security agencies in judicial matters, a three-judge committee formed under the Supreme Court Practice and Procedure Act 2023 has established a six-member larger bench to oversee the case.
The letter penned by six Islamabad High Court judges to the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) sparked significant activity. Signed by Justices Mohsin Akhtar Kayani, Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri, Babar Sattar, Sardar Ejaz Ishaq Khan, Arbab Muhammad Tahir, and Saman Rafat Imtiaz of the IHC, the letter dated March 25 addressed concerns about interference by intelligence agencies in judicial proceedings.
The Supreme Court, according to its cause list released on Thursday, has appointed a new six-member larger bench, headed by CJP Qazi Faez Isa, to hear the case on April 30. This bench will address the concerns raised by the IHC judges.
Earlier, on April 3, a seven-member larger bench led by the CJP had begun hearing the matter, but Justice Yahya Afridi later recused himself from the case. The remaining six judges, including CJ Isa, Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah, Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail, Justice Athar Minallah, Justice Musarrat Hilali, and Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan, constitute the current bench.
The court roster, issued by the committee under Section 2(1) of the SC Practice and Procedure Act, reveals that the decision on the bench’s composition was made in Karachi, with the signature of SC Registrar Jazeela Aslam.
During the initial hearing, CJP Isa hinted at the formation of a full court, while Justice Minallah referred to it in his separate note. Lawyers supporting the IHC judges have expressed disappointment over the absence of a full court and urged the committee to reconsider.
The outcome of this case, along with others, will be closely scrutinized, particularly in light of proposed judicial reforms and concerns regarding political interference in legal proceedings.
