ISLAMABAD: The federal government Thursday announced it will constitute an inquiry commission to probe the Islamabad High Court judges’ allegations of interference by the intelligence agencies in their judicial work. Addressing a press conference here, Federal Minister for Law and Justice Azam Nazir Tarar said an inquiry commission led by a retired and impartial judge will be notified in a day or two. The minister was accompanied by Attorney General Mansoor Usman Awan
The law minister said mainstream and social media had highlighted the letter of the IHC judges and the complaints made in it. He said a former chief justice of Pakistan was mentioned in the letter.
The law minister said the chief justice of Pakistan, after holding a full court meeting, desired a meeting with the prime minister.
Tarar said that despite his pressing engagements, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met the chief justice and suggested an inquiry into the matter through a commission. He said the chief justice also desired that an inquiry commission should be constituted to probe the matter.
He said it was the authority of the federal government to form a commission, hence the commission will be formed under the Commission of Inquiry Act.
He said the Terms of References (TORs) of the commission will also take into account the current and future issues.
He further said that suggestions will also be taken from the cabinet members regarding the formation of the commission while efforts will be made to give the responsibility to an impartial and well-known personality.
The federal law minister further said during his meeting with Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Qazi Faez Isa and Senior Puisne Judge Syed Mansoor Ali Shah, the prime minister assured the chief justice that there will be no compromise on the independence of the judiciary. He assured that it was the government’s duty to investigate the matter.
He said the prime minister told the CJP that such cases needed to be prevented in future.
Tarar said the PM requested the CJP for speedy disposal of tax related cases as it was a matter of the country’s economy and financial affairs.
Tarar said the matter pertaining to the constitution of inquiry commission will be placed before the cabinet on Friday (today), adding that a retired judicial personality of good repute may be appointed to lead the commission and to inquire into the matter. Later, speaking in Geo News programme Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada kay Saath, Tarar said that because of unavailability of some cabinet members, the meeting would be held tomorrow (Saturday), adding the PM wanted consultation with all cabinet members.
