Islamabad (Web Desk): The Supreme Court (SC) on Tuesday issued a notice to the Attorney General of Pakistan and asked for recommendations in the case regarding accountability court judge Arshad Malik's alleged involvement in the controversial video scandal.
A three-judge SC bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Justice Asif Saeed Khan Khosa heard the case.
During the hearing, the applicant’s lawyer presented his arguments, requesting the court to take suo motto notice of the issue.
The court in its response stated that it will no longer be independent if it functioned upon what people suggested.
"When the Supreme Court does everything, there are objections. When we take a step back, we are asked to take notice," CJP Khosa remarked.
"We have to decide whether to step in or not," the top judge said, adding: "We also need to look into the judge's [Arshad Malik] misconduct. We need to see where we need to interfere"
"We will soon decide a few things," concluded the CJP.
The bench issued a notice to the Attorney General and asked for recommendations in the case.
Later, the hearing of the case was adjourned till July 23.
Meanwhile, Security has been beefed up around the federal capital and 1,000 police personnel deployed in the Red Zone and SC premises.
According to a notification issued by the SC, the entry was regulated through special security passes issued by SP (Security) Supreme Court of Pakistan, Islamabad.
Those attending the hearing were not allowed to take mobile phones and cameras inside.
The SC had taken up the case for hearing on July 16.
The apex court had issued notices to Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Vice President Maryam Nawaz, former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Raja Zafarul Haq, and others.
On July 12 The Islamabad High Court (IHC) removed accountability judge Arshad Malik from his post over controversial video.
Earlier, judge Malik had written a letter to the IHC refuting PML-N leader Maryam Nawaz’s allegations and the video purportedly showing the judge admitting to lack of evidence against former PM Nawaz Sharif.
In an affidavit submitted to the IHC, Malik denied the contents of the video and termed them as edited, fabricated and aimed to defame him.
Judge Malik, on Dec 4, 2018, had handed ousted prime minister Nawaz Sharif seven years in jail in the Al-Azizia Steel Mills corruption reference. He, however, had acquitted him in a second reference related to Flagship Investments.
