ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) has approved sweeping reforms to the decades-old Code of Conduct for superior court judges, introducing strict new rules on their public and private conduct while moving forward on dozens of complaints against members of the judiciary.
The SJC, chaired by Chief Justice Yahya Afridi, met at the Supreme Court on Saturday to deliberate on judicial matters. Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah and Justice Munib Akhtar joined the session virtually, while Lahore High Court Chief Justice Aalia Neelum and Islamabad High Court Chief Justice Sardar Muhammad Sarfraz Dogar attended in person.
After detailed discussions, the council endorsed revisions to the 1965 Code of Conduct, which will be published in the official gazette and circulated among the superior judiciary, according to an official statement.
The updated code reinforces judicial integrity and independence, barring judges from attending political or diplomatic functions or accepting foreign invitations without clearance. It also sets new standards for public communication, management of external influence, and the timely disposal of cases.
The council reviewed 67 complaints filed under Article 209 of the Constitution, dismissing 65, deferring one, and allowing one to proceed. Following the recusal of the Islamabad High Court Chief Justice, the council was reconstituted, with Peshawar High Court Chief Justice S.M. Attique Shah joining to address pending matters.
The reconstituted panel examined a further seven complaints, dismissing five and advancing two for further action.
Officials said 87 complaints remain under consideration, while 155 cases have been processed since October 2024, underscoring the SJC’s commitment to judicial accountability and institutional transparency.
