ISLAMABAD – The Supreme Court conducted the first hearing into the case involving the video of former accountability court judge Arshad Malik and sought recommendations from the attorney general in this regard.
During the first hearing of the case on Tuesday, a three-member bench — headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Asif Saeed Khosa and comprising Justice Sheikh Azmat Saeed and Justice Umar Ata Bandial — heard arguments from the lawyers; the apex court took up three petitions regarding the scandal.
The top judge Asif Saeed Khan Khosa also expressed cautiousness in hearing the case owing to the debate over judicial activism.
“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 chief justice observed, 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 and adjourned the hearing until July 23.
Police in the federal capital had completed the security arrangements at the Supreme Court, which took up the petition seeking a thorough probe into the video leak controversy involving former accountability court judge Arshad Malik.
A three-member bench heared Constitution Petition No.10 of 2019 (Ishtiaq Ahmed Mirza vs. Federation of Pakistan through Secretary M/o Law & Justice Govt. Of Pakistan & others) for which arrangements were finalized.
For proper decorum and smooth functioning of legal proceedings in the high-profile case, the police had adopted special security measures at the premises of the apex court.
https://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/headline/ihc-decides-to-remove-arshad-malik-as-accountability-judge/
According to a press release, in view of the limited seating capacity in the Court Room No. 1, the entry was regulated through special security passes to be issued by SP (Security) Supreme Court of Pakistan, Islamabad.
Moreover, only the petitioners/respondents whose cases were fixed in Court were allowed to enter the premises of the Supreme Court.
However, advocates and journalists who regularly visit the Supreme Court were exempted from passes.
Entry into Court building was allowed after checking/frisking and searching of bags/purses etc and no mobile phone was allowed inside the Courtroom.
The Case
The apex court had taken up petitions and fixed it for hearing regarding the video of accountability court Judge Arshad Malik released by Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz leader, Maryam Nawaz.
In the video, the judge could be seen discussing the Al-Azizia reference filed against the former premier, Nawaz Sharif with a PML-N ‘ sympathizer’, Nasir Butt.
Arshad Malik was removed as the accountability court judge by the Islamabad High Court; Malik had sentenced the former premier to seven years behind bars in Al-Azizia reference last year.
Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz has now demanded the release of former premier – incarcerated at the Kot Lakhpat Jail – on the basis of the video which has stirred a storm in the power corridors of the country.
