SJC to hold hearing of references against Justice Isa, others on June 14: Awan

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) has issued notices for a hearing of references filed against Supreme Court (SC) judge Justice Qazi Faez Isa and two high court judges, a senior government functionary said Thursday.

Speaking at a press conference, Special Assistant to Prime Minister (SAPM) on Information Firdous Ashiq Awan said the SJC had issued notices to the attorney general and other stakeholders for a hearing on June 14.

"Supreme Judicial Council has a code of conduct and its proceedings take place in secrecy, and the details are not shared with the media," she said. 

"Every politician, mediaman and member of judiciary has to follow a code of conduct."

In case of violation, the PM's aide said, a reference could be filed against the violators of the constitution.

The government had filed references with the SJC against the three judges. President Arif Alvi had forwarded the references to the SJC two days ago.

According to reports, the three judges own properties abroad but did not mention them in their wealth statements.

The SJC is the only constitutional authority mandated by Article 209 of the Constitution of Pakistan to conduct inquiries into allegations of incapacity or misconduct against a judge of the Supreme Court or of a high court.

It comprises chief justice of Pakistan as chairman, two senior most judges of the Supreme Court and two senior most judges of the high courts as members.

Meanwhile, Amanullah Kanrani, president of the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA), said if a reference came against Justice Isa, then they would fully oppose it.

Kanrani said so while speaking to media after presiding over a meeting of the SCBA at the apex court.

"We will back the judiciary against the government's move," he said, demanding an explanation from the government and asking it to back off.

The SCBA president said a person may have personal grievances with the honourable judge [Justice Isa], but there was no truth in reports surfacing on the media.

He said he knew the family of the SC judge, calling for cessation of "character assassination" of Justice Qazi Faez Isa.

Kanrani said the SCBA stands by the judiciary and it would take a stance reflecting the will of the nation.

— Additional reporting by Asif Bashir Chaudhry.