Islamabad: Federal Minister for Law and Justice Azam Nazeer Tarar clarified on Thursday that Prime Minister’s aide Rana Sanaullah never mentioned filing a reference against Supreme Court judges but was presenting his viewpoint regarding the “misconduct” by certain judges amid growing tensions over the nomination and transfer of senior jurists.
Rana Sanaullah, the prime minister’s adviser on political and public affairs, had hinted at filing a reference against two senior judges who were committing “misconduct” by “writing letters on every issue containing critical remarks” and “leaking it to the media.”
However, the premier’s adviser clarified his statement while speaking on Geo News’ program ‘Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Sath’, saying that his remarks about filing a reference against the judges were neither an announcement nor a threat.
His remarks came amid strong opposition over the nomination of six judges to the Supreme Court by the Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP), a meeting boycotted by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) lawmakers and two senior SC judges. The Chief Justices of all high courts, except Lahore High Court (LHC), were among the six judges nominated.
Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar told journalists in parliament that the government had not issued any statement regarding such a move and would inform the media if any decision is made.
He added that Chief Justice Yahya Afridi, also the head of the Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan, plays an essential role in such discussions, and Pakistani jurists frequently attend these sessions.
The JCP approved the appointment of six judges to the apex court on February 10 during a meeting boycotted by PTI’s Barrister Gohar Ali Khan and Senator Ali Zafar, along with two SC judges, Justice Mansoor Ali Shah and Justice Munib Akhtar.
The issue of judges’ elevation became controversial when four SC judges, including Justice Shah, Justice Akhtar, Justice Ayesha A Malik, and Justice Athar Minallah, wrote to CJP Afridi, urging him to postpone the JCP meeting “until the challenge to the 26th Constitutional Amendment is decided.”
In addition to notifying the six SC judges, the government also issued a notification appointing IHC’s Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb as an acting SC judge in line with the JCP’s decision earlier this week.
Justice Sarfraz Dogar’s transfer from LHC and his subsequent impact on the seniority list of IHC also sparked controversy, with seven IHC judges writing to the CJP and high court chief justices against it.
Meanwhile, regarding a separate question, Tarar confirmed that Chief Justice Afridi did not meet the IMF delegation regarding any case but as the head of the judiciary of Pakistan.
The IMF delegation, visiting Pakistan to review the judicial framework under the ongoing $7 billion Extended Fund Facility (EFF), met CJP Afridi. The IMF delegation acknowledged the judiciary’s role in ensuring legal and institutional stability and commended the ongoing reforms aimed at strengthening governance and accountability.
