Judicial Independence Under Threat: Islamabad High Court Judges Speak Out

In a groundbreaking move, six judges from the Islamabad High Court have raised concerns over alleged interference by Pakistan’s intelligence agencies in judicial affairs. Signing a letter addressed to the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC), the judges called for a convention to address the issue and safeguard the judiciary’s independence.

Highlighting instances of intimidation and interference, including the reported kidnapping and torture of a judge’s relative, the letter underscores the need for judicial autonomy. It also points out the lack of guidance in the code of conduct for judges on reporting such incidents. The judges emphasized the imperative of investigating whether there’s a systematic policy to coerce judges into engineering politically significant judicial outcomes.

This unprecedented step comes amidst heightened scrutiny following the removal of former IHC Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui, who had accused intelligence agencies of influencing court proceedings. The letter signals a significant pushback against perceived executive overreach, marking a pivotal moment in Pakistan’s legal landscape.