LHC CJ says 'establishment’s interference' in judiciary to end soon

LHC CJ says 'establishment’s interference' in judiciary to end soon

Rawalpindi (Web Desk): Lahore High Court (LHC) Chief Justice Malik Shahzad Ahmad on Friday said he believes that the interference of establishment in the judicial matters will come to an end soon.

Addressing an event in Rawalpindi, the LHC CJ said that it is this country’s misfortune that this started from the Moulvi Tamizuddin case and is still ongoing.

"Institutions involved in these interferences are better left unnamed. However, the judiciary is currently performing its duties without pressure," he asserted.

Justice Shahzad Ahmad shared an inspiring story of a district judge who stood firm against such interference, saying, "I am not afraid; I will deliver justice without bias."

This judge's courage, Justice Ahmed remarked, made him feel "immensely proud."

The LHC CJ also addressed the concerns of district judges who reported attempts at blackmail and interference.

He encouraged them not to succumb to such pressures, believing that divine guidance would support them.

"The end of establishment interference in the judiciary is part of my faith," the Justice Khan concluded.

The LHC CJ’s comments came after six Islamabad High Court (IHC) judges wrote a letter to Supreme Court on March 25, accusing spy agencies of meddling in judicial affairs.

The IHC judges had demanded Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa to convene the Supreme Judicial Council’s (SJC) meeting to consider the matter of alleged interference of intelligence operatives in the judicial functions or "intimidation" of judges in a manner that undermined the independence of the judiciary.

The six IHC judges, including Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani, Justice Babar Sattar, Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir, Justice Tariq Mahmood Jehangiri, Justice Sardar Ejaz Ishaq Khan and Justice Saman Rifat Imtiaz, had written a letter to the chief justice, who is also chairman of the SJC.