Islamabad: The Supreme Court of Pakistan has halted further proceedings of the commission established to investigate audio leaks. Under the leadership of the Chief Justice, a five-member bench of the Supreme Court has also suspended the notification for the formation of the inquiry commission.
The Supreme Court pronounced a stay order and restrained the implementation of the federal government’s notification dated May 19, as well as issued an order of non-compliance with the directives of the inquiry commission issued on May 22. Four petitions were filed against the Judicial Commission established for the inquiry of the alleged audio leaks. The Supreme Court, while issuing written orders on the petitions, sent notices to both parties involved. The Court also issued a notice to the Attorney General of Pakistan, and further hearing is scheduled for May 31.
On the issue of alleged audio leaks, the federal government formed a three-member judicial commission headed by Justice Qazi Faiz Isa without consulting Chief Justice Umar Atta Bandial. The ban has been issued. It should be noted that this commission ordered four persons to appear on Saturday, including the son of former Supreme Court Chief Justice Saqib Nisar.
Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial has written the order for the judicial hearing, stating that the formation of this commission goes against the powers granted in the constitution. The order also mentions that including judges in this commission has raised suspicions and doubts about their integrity. The government cannot interfere in judicial matters. The order further emphasizes that consultation with the Chief Justice is necessary for the appointment of judges in the judicial commission, but this was not done in this case.
