By Staff Reporter
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s judiciary is facing interference from “institutions”, a provincial top judge said Friday, making another public complaint that highlights the tensions between the judiciary and the country’s powerful military.
Chief Justice Malik Shahzad Ahmad of the Lahore High Court (LHC) said that he has received numerous complaints and letters, some verbal, alleging interference in judicial matters by military institutions.
Addressing a district bar association event in Rawalpindi, Justice Ahmad said he was not going to name the state institutions involved in such meddling.
He, however, expressed his conviction that this interference would soon end.
“I have full faith that this interference of the establishment in the judiciary will come to its end very soon,” he said, attributing his confidence to both his personal beliefs and professional experience.
Justice Ahmad emphasized the need for courage and bravery in confronting this interference, asserting that the judiciary must stand firm without fear or greed.
“You have to look them in the eyes and face them,” Justice Ahmed told the gathering. “You don’t have to be a victim of their blackmailing.”
The comments come after a sessions judge in Sargodha alleged that the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) had interfered in judicial matters.
Justice Ahmad quoted the judge as saying, “I am ready for any sacrifice but I will not do injustice to anyone.”
The judge urged his subordinate judges to face challenges courageously and not succumb to blackmail.
“Don’t shy away if you have to render any kind of sacrifice in this regard,” he said. “This is the spirit needed and I am proud of my district judiciary.”
He maintained the main problem facing the judiciary related to the interference by the “establishment,” a euphemism for Pakistan’s powerful defense and security institutions, calling it a “curse, bad luck and misfortune” for the country.
Justice Ahmad praised former chief justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry for standing up against a military dictator and noted that the 2007 lawyers’ movement had permanently closed the door to martial law.
In a related development, six Islamabad High Court (IHC) judges wrote to the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) in March, alleging attempts to pressure them through abduction and torture of their relatives and secret surveillance. The Supreme Court has taken suo motu notice of the matter, with high courts submitting their responses and recommendations.
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