Ex-CJP Tassaduq Jillani to lead commission formed to investigate judges’ allegations
Retired Justice Tassaduq Hussain Jillani, previously serving as the chief justice, was appointed on Saturday to lead the inquiry commission tasked with investigating claims of interference in judicial independence by intelligence agencies.
On Tuesday, a notable letter was penned by six out of eight Islamabad High Court judges addressed to the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) members. It highlighted attempts to influence judges through kidnapping and torture of their family members, along with clandestine surveillance within their residences.
Following these revelations, on Wednesday, there were widespread calls for an investigation. In response, the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP), Qazi Faez Isa, convened a full court session with the Supreme Court judges.
Subsequently, after a Thursday meeting between CJP Isa and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the two agreed to establish a commission to delve into the judicial interference issues, following approval by the cabinet.
The Terms of Reference (ToRs) for the commission made public today state that the federal cabinet has sanctioned former CJP Jillani’s appointment as the commission’s leader.
Per the ToRs, the commission aims to thoroughly examine the IHC judges’ allegations and assess their validity. Moreover, it will look into whether any officials were directly engaged in meddling with judicial matters and recommend punitive measures against any agencies, departments, or state institutions based on the findings.
The commission is also empowered to probe any additional issues it deems relevant throughout the inquiry.
Despite these events, the federal cabinet has dismissed the IHC judges’ allegations, labeling them “inappropriate” and asserted a unanimous belief in the separation of powers among state institutions as stipulated by the Constitution.
PM Shehbaz reiterated his faith in the principle of the judiciary’s independence of the judiciary and the division of constitutional powers. He briefed the cabinet members on his meeting with the chief justice and they expressed their complete support of the decisions and actions taken so far.
Meanwhile, PTI leader Sher Afzal Marwat termed the former top judge the most “misfit” person to conduct the investigation and said the party would challenge the commission’s formation.
He said the matter at hand concerned the dignity of the judiciary and CJP Isa should have taken a suo motu notice of the issue.
The Supreme Court Bar Association commended the former CJP’s nomination and said he was “known for his impeccable character”.