Shaukat Siddiqui’s case: SC grants one-day extension to nominate Faiz Hameed, others

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court of Pakistan has granted a one-day deadline to former judge Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui to nominate former DG ISI Faiz Hameed and others as parties in his case against his dismissal by the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) in 2018.

The Supreme Court deferred hearing the case until tomorrow.

A five-member larger bench heard headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa and comprising Justice Aminuddin Khan, Justice Jamal Mandukhel, Justice Hasan Azhar Rizvi, and Justice Irfan Saadat heard the case related to the dismissal of former judge Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui.

Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui’s lawyer Hamid Khan read out a transcript of his client’s speech in which he alleged that he was approached by Faiz Hameed and an ISI brigadier to deliver a verdict in their favour, and that he was offered to be made the chief justice if he complied. The chief justice rebuked Khan for accusing someone without making them a party and said that they should be given a chance to present their position.

Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa emphasized the importance of adherence to legal practices and procedures. He highlighted the significance of responsible journalism, stating that not everyone becomes a journalist merely by holding a mobile phone. He stressed the need for benches to be formed in accordance with the law.

Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa remarked that if accusations are made, the accused party should be made a party in the proceedings. He noted that individuals should be given the chance to admit or deny allegations and emphasized the importance of civility in discourse.

The Chief Justice stated the unfortunate reality that while criticisms are directed at individuals, institutions remain unchanged.

Justice Jamal Khan Mandukhel inquired whether the accusations were against an individual or an organization. Hamid Khan specified Faiz Hameed and an ISI brigadier in the miscellaneous application. Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa advised that when accusing an individual, they should be made a party.

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The chief justice also remarked that the court does not want to malign any person or institution. He said that democracy is not only in the country but also in the judiciary.

Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa asked the government about the replacements, as three members of the former bench had retired. Additional Attorney General Javed Vance said the federal government objected to the admissibility of Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui’s petitions, stating that they were not admissible.

Siddiqui was removed from his office by the SJC on the charges of misconduct after he made a controversial speech at the Rawalpindi Bar Association in 2018, accusing the ISI of interfering in judicial matters. He challenged his dismissal in the Supreme Court, seeking a fair trial and an open inquiry.