Headline: Tassaduq Hussain Jillani has been chosen to investigate charges against Islamabad High Court justices, with the commission expected to present its findings within 60 days.
Former Tassaduq Hussain Jillani, Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP), has previously underlined the importance of determining the limitations and contours of jurisdiction under Article 184(3) of the Constitution to discourage frivolous petitions and prevent vested interests from abusing the Supreme Court’s power.
However, the federal government has picked Justice Jillani to lead the commission, and he now bears a significant deal of responsibility.
The former judge must walk carefully to allay the anxieties of Islamabad High Court judges, who expressed their dissatisfaction in a letter to the Supreme Judicial Commission (SJC) on March 25.
After the judges accused the intelligence agencies of interfering with judicial affairs, Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa convened a full court meeting, followed by a cabinet-approved panel led by Justice Jillani to investigate the claims.
Tassaduq Hussain Jillani appointed Head of the Inquiry Commission
The federal cabinet approved the formation of an inquiry committee into charges against Islamabad High Court (IHC) judges and chose former Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice (retired) Tassaduq Hussain Jillani to lead it, according to a statement issued on Saturday.
The commission, led solely by former Chief Justice Jillani, will investigate the charges made by the justices in a letter. The cabinet members also approved the commission’s terms of reference (ToRs).
The inquiry commission will submit its report in 60 days
According to insiders, the inquiry commission plans to present its report within 60 days.
They claimed that bureaucrats and other irrelevant people were asked to leave the room when the letter was discussed at the cabinet meeting.
The cabinet members gave the PM the authority to pick the commission’s head while expressing full support for anybody he chooses.
According to an official statement made following the huddle, the federal cabinet also refuted the judges’ charge of executive meddling in judicial proceedings, calling it “inappropriate”.
The cabinet members agreed unanimously that the Constitution enshrines the principle of separation of powers among governmental entities.
On the occasion, the Prime Minister underlined his commitment to judicial independence and the constitutional separation of powers.
He assured cabinet members that he would confer with the CJP and meet with him following the letter.
The cabinet completely supported the Prime Minister’s decisions and actions in this regard.
On March 26, Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kiyani, Justice Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri, Justice Babar Sattar, Justice Sardar Ejaz Ishaq Khan, Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir, and Justice Saman Fafat Imtiaz wrote to the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC), urging it to convene a judicial convention over the alleged interference of intelligence agencies in judicial affairs.
In reaction to the letter, Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa stated on March 28 that the executive’s interference in the affairs and “judicial workings of Judges will not be tolerated” regardless of the circumstances.
He stated this during a meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at the Supreme Court in Islamabad. During the discussion, the Chief Justice and the Prime Minister agreed to form an inquiry commission.
The letter came just days after the Supreme Court ruled that former IHC Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui’s dismissal was unlawful and ordered that he be recognized a retired judge.
“Considering the gravity of the accusations levelled in the said letter, the CJP called an appointment on the same day with the Chief Justice and all the Judges of the Islamabad High Court after Iftar at 8 pm at the Chief Justice’s residence,” the Supreme Court said in a statement on March 28.
The statement went on to say that PM Shehbaz agreed to schedule a meeting of the federal cabinet to seek their approval for the commission’s constitution.
It stated that the premier fully supported the opinions made by CJP Isa and Senior Puisne Judge Shah.
Conclusion
The nomination of Tassaduq Hussain Jillani to oversee the probe commission is an important step toward addressing the concerns voiced by Islamabad High Court judges. With the federal cabinet’s support and a commitment to judicial independence, the panel intends to thoroughly investigate the claims while upholding justice values.
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