The objections raised by the previous Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM)government against the members of the five-judge bench handling the audiocommission case have been nullified by the Supreme Court of Pakistan. Thissignificant development emerged from a five-member bench, with ChiefJustice Umar Ata Bandial at the helm, and included Justices Ijazul Ahsan,Munib Akhtar, Shahid Waheed, and Hasan Azhar Rizvi.
Their decision was reached after previously reserving judgment regardingthe inquiry commission, led by Justice Qazi Faez Isa, that had beenestablished by the former PDM government to investigate audio leaks.
The government’s reservations pertained to the participation of ChiefJustice of Pakistan, Justice Umar Ata Bandial, as well as Justices IjazulAhsan and Munib Akhtar on the bench. These objections were ultimatelyoverruled, with Justice Ijazul Ahsan emphasizing in the delivered verdictthat these objections were seen as an affront to the independence of thejudiciary.
The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) President Abid Shahid Zuberi’spetition was pivotal in this context, as it sought to challenge theobjections made by the government. The court’s decision to reject theseobjections reaffirmed the judiciary’s independence and authority.
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This legal saga dates back to May 26, when the five-member bench, led byChief Justice Umar Ata Bandial, issued an order that temporarily haltedproceedings related to multiple petitions contesting the constitution ofthe judicial commission established by the federal government.
This commission was tasked with investigating the authenticity of audioleaks allegedly implicating a Supreme Court judge and a relative of thechief judge. Notably, the commission was headed by Justice Qazi Faez Isa,the most senior judge after the Chief Justice, and included Islamabad HighCourt Chief Justice Aamer Farooq and Balochistan High Court Chief JusticeNaeem Akhtar Afghan
