ISLAMABAD: Senior lawyers, many associated with the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaaf (PTI), on Wednesday voiced firm support for five Islamabad High Court (IHC) judges who recently raised alarm over interference in judicial affairs. The legal fraternity also expressed solidarity with Justice Tariq Mehmood Jahangir, who was controversially restrained from performing judicial functions.
At a convention attended by veteran lawyers including Aitzaz Ahsan, Sardar Latif Khan Khosa, Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, Khan, and Barrister Syed Ali Zafar, participants adopted a resolution underscoring their commitment to judicial independence, constitutional supremacy,, and democratic restoration.
The resolution declared the move against Justice Jahangir “without lawful backing,” noting that the very elevation of Chief Justice Sardar Mohammad Sarfraz Dogar, who headed the restraining bench, was still under judicial review.
“Judicial independence cannot be compromised through extra-constitutional means,” said Mr.. Khosa, stressing that sidelining Justice Jahangir undermined the judiciary’s credibility. He further asserted that only the Supreme Judicial Council was constitutionally empowered to examine the conduct of judges.
The convention also extended support to the five IHC judges who had earlier submitted a petition highlighting undue influence in the internal functioning of the high court.
On political accountability, the lawyers raised questions over Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja’s continued stay in office despite the expiry of his term in January. Terming it “unconstitutional and tantamount to treason,” the resolution called for his immediate removal and the appointment of an independent Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).
The lawyers further demanded the “restoration of democracy in its true form,” urging revocation of the 26th Constitutional Amendment and reaffirmation of fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution.