Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar Monday asked the chief justice of Islamabad High Court (IHC) to explain his position in the aftermath of serious allegations levelled by Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui against country’s intelligence agencies. IHC Chief Justice Anwar Kasi has also been asked to obtain evidence from Justice Siddiqui to substantiate his allegations that state institutions were meddling in the judicial affairs. “The allegations levelled in the speech cast aspersions and malign the superior judiciary of the country and berate its independence. It also implicates Hon’ble Chief Justice of Islamabad High Court and some other national institutions,” said a statement issued by the CJP’s office on Monday. “If obtained, material and evidence and the comments of the IHC chief justice will be transmitted to the office of the Chief Justice of Pakistan for consideration and appropriate action,” the statement read. Meanwhile, in his remarks while hearing a petition pertaining to suo motu notice over Justice Siddiqui’s remarks, Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar said that Pakistan will remain blessed until an independent judiciary is present and justice is delivered to everyone. He said that justice will be delivered to Justice Siddiqui as well. Addressing an event in Lahore, Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar remarked that efforts were being made to malign the country’s judiciary. “I had promised the nation that I won’t let democracy be affected until there is Supreme Court. I had promised the nation that I will keep the country’s democracy out of harm’s way,” he said. “Pakistan will be weakened if the judiciary is weakened,” he said, adding that it would be quite deplorable if the country’s judiciary gets a bad reputation. While speaking about the general elections, the chief justice said that he hopes that Pakistan’s next prime minister is an honest and trustworthy person. He also shared that Justice Tahira Safdar will be the next chief justice of the Balochistan High Court. Published in Daily Times, July 24th 2018.