Two SC judges seek probe into complaints against Justice Mazahar Naqvi

ISLAMABAD: Two judges of the Supreme Court (SC), Justice Qazi Faez Isa and Justice Sardar Tariq Masood, have urged the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) to initiate proceedings on complaints of alleged “misconduct and financial improriety” against Justice Sayyed Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi, ARY News reported on Monday.  

In a letter penned down to Supreme Judicial Council (SJC), the two SC judges urged the body to convene a meeting to probe complaints of alleged “misconduct and financial improriety” against fellow apex court judge, Justice Sayyed Mazahar Naqvi.

The letter stated that several written complaints had been received, including from the Pakistan Bar Council (PBC), alleging misconduct and financial impropriety by Justice Naqvi.

“Article 209 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan establishes the Supreme Judicial Council and it is the duty of the Council to inquire into the capacity and misconduct of a Judge,” it stated.

The SC judges noted that they had been waiting for the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial to take notice of the complaints and call a meeting of the judicial body over the matter.

“Chief Justice, we were waiting for you to convene a meeting of the Council to consider the complaints and to ascertain whether there is substance in the stated allegations; we must exonerate the respondent Judge and fully restore his honour or else submit, our report in terms of the Constitution,” it stated.

The letter mentioned that the council should exonerate the respondent judge and fully restore his honour or else submit our report in terms of the Constitution. “Confidence of the people in the integrity and independence of the Judiciary requires us to proceed without any further delay,” it concluded.

Read More: ‘Reference against Justice Mazahar Ali Naqvi based on lies’

It is pertinent to mention here that a judicial reference was filed against Supreme Court Justice Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi in the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) on Thursday, accusing him of “misconduct” and “amassing illegitimate assets”.

The complaint against Justice Naqvi was filed by advocate Mian Dawood for allegedly violating the code of conduct for judges of the Supreme Court issued under Clause (8) of Article 209 of the Constitution.

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.