The Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) on Saturday approved open trial of a reference against Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui of the Islamabad High Court (IHC). The SJC made the decision at a meeting presided over by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar. Justice Siddiqui has been facing a reference before the SJC for alleged misconduct. The IHC judge denies impropriety in the pending reference and has sought that it be heard in open court as an exception to the general rule requiring that proceedings against judges of the higher courts be held in-camera. The Supreme Court of Pakistan had directed the judicial council to review its decision rejecting Justice Siddiqui’s plea seeking open trial of the reference against him. The IHC judge had challenged the rejection of his plea in the apex court. Meanwhile, sources said that the Supreme Judicial Council has directed the attorney general to present witnesses on July 30. The SJC is the only constitutional authority mandated by Article 209 of the constitution of Pakistan to conduct inquiries into allegations of incapacity or misconduct against a judge of the Supreme Court or of a high court. The council comprises the chief justice of Pakistan, the two next senior-most judges of the Supreme Court, and the two most senior chief justices of high courts. Published in Daily Times, July 8th 2018.