Govt announces inquiry commission to probe IHC judges’ letter

ISLAMABAD: Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar on Thursday announced that the federal government will form an inquiry commission headed by a retired judge to investigate the letter written by six judges of the Islamabad High Court (IHC), who had alleged interface of intelligence agencies in the affairs of the judiciary.

Addersing a press conference, he said a summary would be placed before the federal cabinet tomorrow, seeking its permission for the formation of the commission.

Responding to a query, Tarar said that the commission should also probe the accusation that court rulings against the PML-N during 2017-2018 stemmed from interference in the judiciary.

The announcement came after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s meeting with Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa to address the same matter.

Tarar stated that the Prime Minister held the belief that there should be no interference in the functioning of institutions.

He further said that the inquiry will be conducted under the leadership of a competent retired judge.

The meeting comes after six judges of the IHC wrote a letter to the Supreme Judicial Council to call a full-court meeting to look into the alleged interference and influence of members of the executive and intelligence agencies in the affairs of the judiciary.

The letter, drafted by six judges of the Islamabad High Court, had requested a judicial convention to address the issue of interference by the executive and intelligence agencies and their influence on judges.

The letter also referenced threatening incidents encountered by the judges from intelligence agencies.

CJP Isa on Wednesday called for a full court session to discuss the letter authored the judges.

More to follow