Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa recently addressed significant issues concerning the judiciary during a full-court reference held in honor of Justice Sardar Tariq Masood upon his retirement. CJP Isa emphasized the importance of fair criticism of judicial decisions while lamenting the prevalence of baseless allegations against judges, particularly on social media platforms.
He highlighted an incident involving Justice Sardar Tariq Masood, where frivolous allegations were circulated widely on social media without any basis. Despite attempts to clarify the matter, the judge faced challenges in addressing the accusations. This prompted the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) to amend the Code of Conduct for Judges, allowing judges to respond to publicized allegations without violating their code.
CJP Isa acknowledged the arduous task of the SJC in evaluating the conduct of superior judges, recognizing the need to uphold judicial integrity while dealing with numerous complaints, some of which are unsubstantiated.
He also discussed the challenges of convening SJC meetings and emphasized the importance of Justice Masood’s expertise, particularly in complex criminal trials such as the presidential reference concerning Zulfikar Ali Bhutto’s murder trial.
Additionally, CJP Isa commended Justice Masood’s role in ensuring the smooth conduct of general elections and highlighted his contributions to various judicial matters, including his involvement in the Judicial Commission of Pakistan.
In recounting Justice Masood’s actions during critical judicial proceedings, CJP Isa underscored the judge’s commitment to fairness and impartiality, even in the face of objections and challenges.
Looking forward, CJP Isa hinted at potential reforms within the judiciary, including the establishment of a separate secretariat to alleviate administrative burdens and streamline judicial processes.
Overall, CJP Isa’s remarks shed light on the challenges faced by the judiciary, the importance of upholding judicial standards, and the valuable contributions of judges like Justice Sardar Tariq Masood to the legal system in Pakistan.
