SJC starts actions on complaints against Justice Mazahar Naqvi

F.P. Report

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Judicial Council has started its proceedings on the complaints against Supreme Court judge, Justice Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi.

According to sources, Chief Justice of Pakistan, Justice Umar Ata Bandial on Wednesday sent copies of complaints against Justice Naqvi to the members of Supreme Judicial Council, thus officially initiating proceedings against the sitting SC judge.

A number of references have been filed against Justice Naqvi in the Supreme Judicial Council seeking inquiry into his alleged “misconduct and financial impropriety”.

On February 23, a reference was filed against Justice Naqvi in the SJC on behalf of Mian Dawood Advocate.

In the referral, the SJC was prayed to investigate the assets of the Supreme Court judge and his family members.

The reference alleged that the judge used his “influence to facilitate” his sons and a daughter studying abroad and to get “financial gains” from Zahid Rafique, a businessman.

On March 4, the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz Lawyers Forum filed a complaint against him in the SJC after his name surfaced in connection with an alleged audio leak.

The reference, filed under Article 209 of the Constitution, stated that the oath of a superior court judge as prescribed by the Constitution required strict adherence to a code of conduct, any departure from which “may invite misconduct proceeding.”

On March 10, Pakistan Bar Council Vice Chairman Haroon-ur-Rasheed and Executive Committee Chairman Hasan Raza Pasha filed a complaint against Justice Naqvi under Article 209 of the Constitution, praying the SJC to investigate the complaint immediately.

On April 4, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Bar Council filed a reference against Justice Naqvi seeking probe into a purported audio leak featuring him.

On April 3, two senior judges of the Supreme Court and members of the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC), Justice Qazi Faez Isa and Justice Sardar Tariq Masood wrote a judicial letter to the head and members of the SJC to call a meeting to review the allegations of misconduct and financial corruption levelled against Justice Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi.

In the letter, it was said that by calling a meeting of the SJC, the allegations levelled against the judge should be reviewed if they were false or true. The Pakistan Bar Council sent a complaint against Justice Naqvi.

“Article 209 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan establishes the Supreme Judicial Council of Pakistan (‘the Constitution and ‘the Council respectively) and it is the duty of the Council to inquire into the capacity and misconduct of a judge.”

The two judges said that a meeting should be called to determine whether the allegations against Justice Naqvi were true or false, if the allegations were false, the honour of the judge should be restored, if the allegations were true, action should be taken according to the Constitution.