ISLAMABAD: A letter addressed to the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) by judges of the Islamabad High Court, has brought to light accusations of interference in judicial affairs by the country’s intelligence apparatus.
The judges allege attempts to pressure them through means including abduction and torture of their relatives and covert surveillance within their homes.
The letter, dated March 25, is directed to headed of SIC Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa, Supreme Court Justices Mansoor Ali Shah and Munib Akhtar, as well as chief justices of the IHC and Peshawar High Court. Signed by Justices Mohsin Akhtar Kayani, Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri, Babar Sattar, Sardar Ejaz Ishaq Khan, Arbab Muhammad Tahir, and Saman Rafat Imtiaz of the IHC, it raises serious concerns about the independence of the judiciary.
The letter details seven instances of alleged interference and intimidation aimed at influencing the outcomes of cases. It mentions pressure exerted by operatives of the ISI on judges hearing a case regarding the disqualification of PTI leader Imran Khan. The stress induced by these pressures led to one judge being hospitalized due to high blood pressure.
Despite assurances from the IHC chief justice and the former Chief Justice of Pakistan that the intelligence agencies would not approach judges, interference reportedly continued. The letter also recounts the abduction of an IHC judge’s brother-in-law by armed men claiming to be ISI operatives, who coerced false allegations against the judge.
Further grievances include instances of intimidation against district court judges, the bugging of an IHC judge’s official residence with spy cameras, and unauthorized surveillance of the judge and his family members.
Accompanying the letter are copies of previous correspondence with the IHC chief justice, highlighting ongoing concerns about interference by intelligence operatives and efforts to influence judicial outcomes, including probes into judges’ tax records.
The judges demand an investigation into whether there exists a policy implemented by intelligence operatives to intimidate judges. They also support former IHC judge Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui’s call for a probe into allegations of interference by ISI operatives.
While acknowledging some relief granted to a former judge wronged by interference, the judges emphasize the need for further action to safeguard judicial independence and ensure accountability within the system.
