A commission headed by Isa will look into the leaking of audio.

Judicial Commission

In response to recent audio, leaks and their potential, effect on judicial independence, the federal government in ISLAMABAD, on Saturday formed a Judicial Commission to investigate the matter.

A senior judge, of the Supreme Court, Justice Qazi Faez Isa, will preside over, the newly formed Judicial Commission, which also includes the chief justices, of the Islamabad High Court, Aamer Farooq, and the Balochistan, High Court, Naeem Akhtar Aghan.

The notification reads, “The federal government, in exercise of powers conferred under Section 3 of the Pakistan Commission of the Inquiry Act 2017, is pleased to constitute an inquiry commission to probe into the veracity of alleged audio leaks that raise serious apprehensions about the independence of the judiciary in the public interest.

The commission’s mandate would be, to investigate the veracity, of alleged audio, leaks involving, conversations, between (a) a former chief minister of Punjab, and an advocate, regarding a sitting, judge of the Supreme Court, (b) a former chief minister, of Punjab and an advocate regarding, the fixation, of some cases, before a particular bench of the Supreme Court, (c) a former chief, minister of Punjab and a sitting, judge of the Supreme Court, and (d) a former chief justice of Pakistan, and a senior lawyer.

independence judiciary right

similar manner, the notification stated, that the Judicial, Commission would, also investigate the veracity, of the allegations that were, surfacing on print, electronic, and social, media regarding the son-in-law, of the chief justice, of the Lahore, High Court, which was alleged, influencing judicial proceedings, before the high court.

the commission would decide, whether or not, there was a violation of the integrity, of the process of administering justice, the independence of the judiciary, the right to a fair trial, and the equality of citizens.

In a similar manner, the commission was tasked with recommending any necessary legal action to be taken by any agency, department, or person. Furthermore, if the alleged audios were determined to be fake or produced, the commission was responsible for investigating and determining the culpability of those involved in making the audios, as well as proposing appropriate actions to be taken. Additionally, the commission was assigned the responsibility of recommending any necessary legal action to be taken by any agency, department, or person.

According to the notification, the commission would possess all the powers granted to it by the Act, including those specified in Section 10 of the Act.

The announcement said, that “it shall be the duty of all, the executive authorities, in the Federation and provinces, to act in aid of the commission, in the discharge, of its functions and, to comply with any of its decisions.” “It shall be the duty, of all the executive authorities, in the Federation, and provinces to act in, the aid of the commission in the, discharge of its functions.”

Commission

The commission would be entitled to establish a secretariat and designate a secretary for the inquiry at government expense, and the attorney general would assist and furnish all necessary papers and materials.

After its constitution was announced, the commission would begin its inquiry and report to the government within 30 days.

“However, if the commission required further time, the government would grant it,” the notification stated.

The government formed the panel under Section 3 of the Pakistan Commissions of Inquiry Act 2017 because the audio leaks aroused serious concerns about judiciary independence in the public interest.

It noted that such audio leaks had damaged public trust and caused severe public concerns about the chief justice and superior court justices’ independence, impartiality, and uprightness. The notification stated that the judiciary is one of the Constitution’s cornerstones and that tarnishing its independence undermines society’s trust.

“It is imperative to inquire into the authenticity, correctness and veracity of these audio leaks in order to restore not just the credibility of the judiciary but also the public trust and confidence in the Judiciary in the larger public interest, as a matter of definite public importance,” it added.

Federal Minister for Law Azam Nazeer Tarar stated Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial was not consulted before the investigative panel was formed.

The minister added that the commission did not include LHC Chief Justice, Muhammad Ameer Bhatti. Tarar remarked, “The audio leaks affected the reputation of the institutions.” He said the commission leader was a Supreme Court justice.