SC takes suo moto of Vawda’s presser on meddling in judiciary
Response from Faisal Vawda and Mustafa Kamal within two weeks
Did you hear the press conference? Contempt of court or not?, Chief Justice’s query to the Additional Attorney General
The relevant part of the video I got was without sound, some part was heard in the news, Additional Attorney General’s reply
There was more discussion against me but ignored, taking advantage of my neglect, thought that we should also speak, Chief Justice
The court also sought the video recording and text of the press conferences of Faisal Vavda and Mustafa Kamal from Pemra, and issued a notice to the Attorney General for assistance.
The court adjourned the hearing of the case till June 5
ISLAMABAD ( Web News )
The Supreme Court of Pakistan Thursday took suo moto notice on the press conference of Senator Faisal Vawda demanding evidence of alleged interference of intelligence agencies in judicial matters.A three-member bench of the apex court headed by Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa and comprising Justice Saadat Irfan Khan and Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan will hear the matter today.
The development comes hours after IHC responded to Vawda’s letter seeking clarification on Justice Sattar’s citizenship. The court clarified that as per the Constitution of Pakistan, citizenship or residence permit of another country does not bar a lawyer from becoming a judge.
The court’s reply further noted that details about dual citizenship are not sought from any lawyer being considered for the position of a high court judge.
The controversy surrounding Justice Sattar began after six IHC judges wrote a letter to the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC), complaining about intelligence agencies’ meddling in judicial affairs. Justice Sattar also became target of a smear campaign on social media and confidential information about him, including travel documents of him, his wife, and children, was leaked.
Addressing a press conference, a day earlier, Senator had raised questions on the assertions made by Islamabad High Court (IHC) judge Babar Sattar about interference in the judicial matters.
“Merely making accusations is not enough; there must be evidence presented in court,” Vawda said. The former federal minister urged justice Babar Sattar to provide proof of the alleged interference. He also called upon the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) to intervene in the issue.
Vawda stressed the importance of safeguarding the nation against both external and internal plots, and advocated for refraining from targeting state institutions.
On the press conference of co-senator Faisal Vawda on Friday, the case was heard by a 3-member bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Qazi Faiz Isa, in the bench Justice Irfan Saadat Khan and Justice Naeem Akhtar was included in the Afghan bench. During the hearing, the Chief Justice asked for the details of Faisal Vawda’s press conference. On this occasion, Additional Attorney General Aamir Rehman appeared before the 3-member bench of the Supreme Court. Chief Justice Qazi Faiz Isa. Wondering if you heard the press conference? Contempt of court or not? The Additional Attorney General replied that the relevant part of the video that I received had no sound, some part was heard in the news. Chief Justice Qazi Faiz Isa remarked that does this press conference fall under the category of contempt of court? If a case is pending in court, can an opinion be given on it? There have been more talks against me but ignored, taking advantage of my neglect, I thought that we should also speak, but will you start reducing the respect of institutions? He said that lawyers, judges and journalists. There are bad people in everyone, what is bad, they will not allow me to target an institution by name, maybe I have also seen 500 defects in this institution. Do you want to do it? He said that the institutions belong to the people, defaming the institutions is not a service to the country, there may be shortcomings in the institutions, I cannot bear the burden of someone else, if I have done something wrong, tell me. Criticize, we are trying to do a good job every day, following the Practice and Procedure Act. Continuing his speech, he said that whoever has arguments will silence us judges, I have taken an oath not for myself but for the institution. doing I will never defend those who endorse martial law. If I have done something wrong, it cannot be punished by other judges. The gunman is the weakest because he has nothing to say. , is a weak abuser of the second level. Chief Justice Qazi Faiz Isa remarked that a commissioner accused me, tell me, how can the right Chief Justice be rigged? All the media played it, in civilized societies no one talks like that so there are no contempt notices, what is the need for shouting and drama, do criticize constructively but there should be a limit to criticism. The Chief Justice said that another gentleman came after him, whose name is Mustafa Kamal, he mentioned Bhutto, brother, if we have done something wrong, then tell us, what have you done about Bhutto? Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto we can’t make him alive, but he accepted the mistake, the only thing to do is to defame the institution, you fought hard by giving speeches, but no one goes in writing for improvement, you Chief Justice Qazi Faiz Isa said that if any journalist asked him why he is speaking here? They just need an audience, after Faisal Wada, Mustafa Kamal also came forward, both of them are members of Parliament, so they used to speak in the House, why did they choose the Press Club to have such a conversation? The conduct of judges cannot be discussed in parliament either, we know our index is number 137 or whatever. He remarked that the responsibility of the father’s sin cannot be given to the son, the same court also imposed martial law. It has been ratified by the constitution, if one member of the National Assembly is wrong, then the whole parliament cannot be called wrong. We know the rank of our judiciary. Yes, who will be the prosecutor in the case if contempt of court proceedings are launched? He said that the prosecution will be the Attorney General. The Chief Justice discussed with the Additional Attorney General that now the weight is on the shoulders of UP, should there be a show cause notice or just a notice? Every citizen of the country is a part of the judiciary, in Germany, Hitler has passed, there is no one crying, mistakes have been made and move on. If a child admits a mistake in school, the attitude of the teacher changes. Later, the Supreme Court A response was sought from Faisal Vawda and Mustafa Kamal in 2 weeks. The Chief Justice remarked that they issue notices to Faisal Vawda and Mustafa Kamal, call them both, come and criticize us. Later, the court closed the case. The hearing was adjourned till June 5. According to the order of the Supreme Court, Faisal Vawda and Mustafa Kamal should explain their statements, in Badi-Nazar there has been contempt of court, the two leaders have been asked to respond within 2 weeks, the court has asked the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA). Also ask for the video recording and transcript of the press conference.