Pakistan Bar Council member demands full court bench to investigate Justice Siddiqui's concerns

LAHORE - Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) has been urged to stand with justice and support the demand of forming a full Supreme Court bench to probe into the claims made by Justice Shaukat Siddiqui about secret agencies meddling in judicial matters.

Justice Shaukat Siddiqui of Islamabad High Court (IHC) blamed Pakistan’s intelligence agency for interfering into the judicial affairs in his controversial speech which made headlines on Saturday.

M Kamran Raheel, a senior member of Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) wrote an email to the country's top lawyers body on Monday and asked them to raise their voice for the constitution of a larger bench comprising full Supreme Court bench to hear this sensitive case.

Pakistan's top secret agency meddling in judicial affairs, alleges Islamabad judge

“As you must be aware by now of the controversy engendered by the speech of Mr Siddiqui, which justifiably raises concerns of all members of the legal fraternity as the same carries with it the potential to shake the faith and confidence of the people of Pakistan in the independence and impartiality of the courts and such allegations require thorough inquiry and probe in an open, transparent and confidence inspiring way”, the email read.

CJP takes notice of Justice Shaukat Siddiqui’s controversial speech

It further said that the DG ISPR had also demanded to the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) for a probe into the Judge's charges and taking an appropriate action.

Justice Siddiqi has also demanded the appointment of an independent Commission of Inquiry and the Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Saqib Nisar has taken Suo Moto on the subject, he added.

Justice Shaukat Siddiqui asks CJP to constitute judicial commission over meddling allegations

For ensuring the independence of the judiciary and dignity of the court, "I feel that it is imperative for us all that we demand the constitution of a larger bench comprising full Supreme Court to hear this important case. Hope my institution will not let me down by failing to play its due role at this critical time”, it concluded.