SUPREME COURT OF PAKISTAN
Islamabad, 8th August, 2009
PRESS RELEASE
Supreme Judicial Council Initiates Action Against Two High Court Judges A meeting of the Supreme Judicial Council was held today under the Chairmanship of Hon’ble Mr. Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, Chief Justice of Pakistan/Chairman, Supreme Judicial Council. The meeting was also attended by other Hon’ble Members, namely
Mr. Justice Javed Iqbal and Mr. Justice Sardar Muhammad Raza Khan, Senior Judges, Supre me Court, Mr. Justice Tariq Pervez, Chief Justice, Peshawar High Court, Mr. Justice Khawaja Muhammad Sharif, Chief Justice, Lahore High Court and Dr. Faqir Hussain, Registrar, Supreme Court of Pakistan/Secretary, Supreme Judicial Council. 2. The Council considered the judgment of 14-Members’
Supreme Court Bench dated 31.7.2009 and in compliance with the said judgment, approved the addition of the following clause in the Code of Conduct for Judges of Supreme Court and High Courts:“No Judge of the superior judiciary shall render support in any manner whatsoever, including taking or administering oath in violation of the oath of office prescribed in the Third Schedule to the Constitution, to any authority that acquires power otherwise than through the modes envisaged by the Constitution of Pakistan.” 3. The Council also considered allegations of misconduct/
corruption against Mr. Justice Muhammad Afzal Soomro, Judge, High Court of Sindh and decided to constitute a two Members Committee comprising Hon’ble Mr. Justice Sardar Muhammad Raza Khan, Judge, Supreme Court and Hon’ble Mr. Justice Khawaja Muhammad Sharif, Chief Justice, Lahore High Court to further probe into the allegations.
The Committee will visit Karachi on 17.8.2009 for hearing and recording the statements of the complainants. The complainants have been asked to submit affidavits and provide further material to substantiate their allegations leveled against the said Judge. Notice is also being issued to Mr. Justice Muhammad Afzal Soomro to furnish reply in the matter. 4. The Council also considered the complaint filed by Mr. S.M.
Ismail against Mr. Justice Muhammad Akhtar Shabbir, Former Judge, Lahore High Court/Supreme Court, Mr. Justice Abdul Shakoor Paracha, Judge, Lahore High Court and Mr. Justice Syed Qalb-e-Hassan, Former Judge, Islamabad High Court. 5. The Council heard the Complainant, namely, Mr. S.M. Ismail
and his son Dr. Junaid Ismail. After deliberations, the Council decided to further inquire into the matter by issuing notices to parties including Mr. Justice Abdul Shakoor Paracha. Notice to appear before the Council was also issued to one Dr. Amjad Mehmood, Deputy Executive Director, Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), Islamabad allegedly involved in the deal. The Council initiated inquiry proceedings against Mr. Justice Abdul Shakoor Paracha. However, since the other two judges namely Mr. Justice Muhammad Akhtar Shabbir and Mr. Justice Syed Qalb-e-Hassan have ceased to hold offices, therefore , if need be, appropriate a ction will also be recommended against them under the law. 6. The Council resolved to meet again on the 29th of August,
2009, wherein further proceedings will be conducted.
(SHAHID HUSSAIN KAMBOYO) Public Relations Officer