In letter to IHC CJ, judges point out 'judicial ills'

Islamabad (Web Desk): Two Islamabad High Court (IHC) judges, Justice Babar Sattar and Justice Sardar Ejaz, have written to Chief Justice Sardar Muhammad Sarfraz Dogar ahead of a scheduled full court meeting, questioning the court’s transparency and internal practices.

The meeting, chaired by the Chief Justice and attended by all IHC judges, had been called to review service rules, practice and procedure regulations, family court jurisdiction, and construction of the new high court building. However, both judges sought to expand the agenda, citing flaws in case allocation, decision-making, and administrative openness.

In his four-page letter, Justice Sattar asked whether the IHC was meeting its constitutional role and whether people still viewed it as a defender of rights. He criticised the lack of transparency in roster preparation and case fixation, noting that senior judges were being sidelined while additional judges handled key cases.

Justice Babar Sattar objected to withholding cause lists in some matters, exclusion of senior judges from the administrative committee, and the policy requiring judges to obtain no-objection certificates (NOCs) for foreign travel, warning such practices undermined judicial independence and institutional integrity.

Justice Ejaz’s letter, circulated hours before the meeting, echoed these concerns. He said the Gazette notification of the Practice and Procedure Rules had been issued before judges had time to review them, as they received copies only a day and a half earlier. 

He argued the full court appeared to be a mere formality, and questioned the legality of issuing the notification without approval. He also opposed the NOC requirement, calling it a violation of judges’ freedom of movement, and objected to the exclusion of senior judges from the administrative committee. He urged discussion on the Chief Justice’s powers over roster management and bench formation.

Copies of both letters have been shared with all IHC judges and the registrar, ensuring the issues raised will be considered during the full court meeting.