Justice Qazi Faez Isa 'skips' dinner hosted by CJP Bandial

ISLAMABAD: Justice Qazi Faez Isa, the most senior judge after Chief Justice of Pakistan, Justice Umar Ata Bandial ‘skipped’ dinner hosted by the top judge in honour of the SC judges, ARY News reported, citing sources.

There has been a division in the SC which is being continuously reported in media especially after CJP Bandial started the suo motu proceedings for holding elections for the Punjab Assembly.

According to sources, all 14 judges of the apex court attended the dinner except Justice Qazi Faez Isa, the seniormost judge after the CJP.

Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Umar Ata Bandial use to give dinner reception to honour his fellow judges after every eid.

The sources said Justice Isa might have decided not to attend the dinner as the CJP has already reserved his decision on a government’s plea regarding the withdrawal of its curative review petition against an apex court order dismissing a presidential reference against the said judge.

Earlier in the month of April, Justice Isa issued a clarification on attending a special national constitutional convention at the National Assembly (NA), held to mark the golden jubilee of the Constitution of Pakistan.

Prior to accepting the invitation, Justice Isa said, inquiries were made as to whether there would be political speeches, and assurances were extended that only the Constitution and its making would be spoken about, the senior SC judge said in a statement issued.