IHC judges’ allegations: Ex-CJP Jillani to head inquiry commission

ISLAMABAD: The federal cabinet met with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in the chair in Lahore on Saturday, approved the constitution of an inquiry commission and appointed former chief justice of Pakistan (CJP) Tassaduq Hussain Jillani as its head to probe the allegations of six judges of the Islamabad High Court (IHC).

The cabinet discussed in detail the text of a letter written by six IHC judges to the Supreme Judicial Council, alleging interference by the agencies and executive in performance of their duties.

The cabinet was briefed about the SC’s full court proceedings and a meeting held between the prime minister and chief justice of Pakistan (CJP), in which formation of an inquiry commission was proposed.

The cabinet also approved the terms of reference (ToRs) of the inquiry commission, which would thoroughly probe the allegations of judges. “The inquiry commission will decide whether there is any truth in allegations or not,” the ToRs said.

The inquiry commission, in view of its findings, would also recommend action against any agency, department or government institution. The commission would complete its task in 60 days and it would also be authorised to probe any other related matter.

The federal cabinet, however, negated the allegations levelled by the judges about interference of executive in their working and termed it inappropriate. The cabinet was of the unanimous view that three institutions of the state believed in distribution of powers between them as per the 1973 Constitution, a statement issued by the PM media wing said.

The PM reiterated his resolve and belief in the freedom of judiciary and distribution of powers between the institutions and took the cabinet into confidence regarding his consultations and a meeting with the CJP on the issue.

The cabinet members fully endorsed PM’s decisions and measures taken so far to handle the issue.

IHC judges Mohsin Akhtar Kiyani, Justice Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri, Justice Babar Sattar, Justice Sardar Ejaz Ishaq Khan, Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir and Justice Saman Rafat Imtiaz had sent a letter to the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) on March 26, urging it to convene a judicial convention over the alleged interference of intelligence agencies in judicial affairs.

PM Shehbaz Sharif, while addressing the cabinet meeting, expressed his firm resolve to transform the country’s economic landscape, saying he had already shared broad parameters of a five-year plan with all ministries, specifying their targets. He declared that economic revival, slashing loans, increasing GDP, promotion of agriculture and information technology, reforms in energy sector and end to smuggling were the top priorities of his government. He urged his cabinet members to immediately commence work towards achieving the targets set in the five-year roadmap, shared with all relevant ministries.

He emphasized that the ministries would have to devise strategies to achieve these targets. He said progress of ministries on these targets would also be reviewed regularly.

About austerity measures, the PM said the government would have to cut its expenditures and take the country towards self-reliance. Expressing his determination to uplift various sectors such as agriculture and information technology (IT), the PM said, “We have to take the country on the growth trajectory and create employment opportunities.”

He was confident that the commerce ministry would take the requisite steps to double the country’s exports before completion of five-year period of the incumbent government.

The PM said strict action would be taken against illegal trade, power theft and other leakages. He said a programme had been chalked out for complete digitalisation of the FBR. For the purpose, consultants would be hired by next month.

About the Bisham incident, which claimed the lives of five Chinese engineers and one Pakistani, the PM said anti-Pakistan elements, which were against a strong bond between China and Pakistan, were behind the attack.

He said people of Pakistan were fully behind their Chinese friends at this hour of grief. He pointed out that he visited the Chinese embassy after the incident and extended condolences.

Condolence message was also sent to the Chinese leadership with the assurance that whosoever was behind the terrorist attack would be given an exemplary punishment.

The PM reaffirmed his determination to wipe out the menace of terrorism from the country. Paying tribute to sacrifices of security personnel, the PM said the defence of Pakistan was impregnable. He said those rendering lives for the security of the homeland are our heroes, assuring that resources would be provided to fulfil the requirements of security forces.

Meanwhile, ex-CJP Tassaduq Hussain Jillani said he had looked at the TORs first and then decided to accept the responsibility. He said investigation into the allegations will be transparent and on merit.

He emphasized that under no circumstances would there be any compromise on the independence of the judiciary.

However, lawyers bodies were divided on the government decision to form the inquiry commission under a former chief justice of Pakistan to probe the sensitive issue.

The Balochistan High Court Bar Association (BHCBA) Saturday announced plans to challenge the formation of the inquiry commission under ex-CJP Tassaduq Hussain Jillani in the Supreme Court of Pakistan. The BHCBA and Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) member from Balochistan Munir Ahmed Kakar said in their media statements that the federal government’s decision to form a one-man inquiry commission was not acceptable at all. They said the BHCBA would file a petition under Article 184(3) of the Constitution in the Supreme Court in the coming week.

The statement said the allegations levelled by the six judges were quite serious in nature and should be probed by serving judges of the superior judiciary. It said that the SC would be requested to form a judicial commission consisting of five senior judges of the top court to probe the matter.

On the other hand, the Punjab Bar Council (PbBC) welcomed the commission. “A retired Chief Justice of Pakistan, Justice Tassaduq Hussain Jillani, has been appointed to head the commission inquiring into such allegations, a decision that we welcome and support,” read a statement issued by the PbBC on Saturday.

The Punjab Bar Council said criticising the establishment had become easy and fashionable. It demanded a comprehensive probe into the matter considering all aspects.