SC Justice Qazi Faiz Isa responds over reports of unprecedented reference against him
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*ISLAMABAD - Supreme Court** Justice Qazi Faiz Isa has responded over reports of unprecedented reference against him.*
The senior Supreme Court judge has approached the President of Pakistan seeking clarity regarding reports that the government has filed a reference against him over allegations of misconduct.
Justice Qazi Faez Isa, who is in line to eventually become chief justice of Pakistan, on May 28, wrote a letter to President Arif Alvi drawing his attention towards reports quoting government sources that a reference had been filed against him. Copies of the letter have been sent to the prime minister and the Supreme Court as well.
A source who has seen the letter told *The Express Tribune* that Justice Isa wrote, “I have to come to learn that the government sources are stating that a reference has been filed against me under Article 209 of the Constitution. I will be obliged if you (the president) could let me know whether this is correct and if it is, then provide me with a copy of the alleged reference.”
According to the source, Justice Isa further wrote, “I am confident that you will agree that if a reference has been filed and I have been called upon to submit a reply, only then to the permission of the Supreme Judicial Council, the government may disclose the reference and my response thereto.”
Likewise, the SC judge also went on to add that “selective leaks amount to character assassination” jeopardise his right to due process and fair trial, and undermines the institution of the judiciary.
The unprecedented move by Justice Isa came after it was reported that the government has filed references against two superior courts judges who hold foreign property either in their own names or through their spouses.
