Pakistan’s Political Advisor Signals Possible Reference Against Senior Supreme Court Judges

Pakistan’s Prime Minister’s Advisor on Political Affairs, Rana Sanaullah, has indicated the possibility of filing a reference against two senior judges of the Supreme Court. In a recent interview with a private TV channel, he mentioned that the behavior of certain senior judges could lead to the filing of a reference, although he was uncertain whether such a reference is currently being prepared.

Sanaullah stated that if any individual is involved in propaganda that tarnishes the reputation of an entire institution, it could be linked to misconduct. He added that the matter has never been discussed in the Cabinet. He claimed that these judges were obstructing the functioning of the Supreme Court, constantly disagreeing, boycotting sessions, or writing letters.

The advisor also emphasized that certain judges in the judiciary had once exercised significant control over the country, treating everyone, from clerks to prime ministers, with disdain. He pointed out that these judges often summoned anyone they desired under the guise of suo-motu notices, even the Prime Minister was not spared.

Rana Sanaullah argued that the issue at hand was the result of a mindset that has caused judges to feel detached from the state. He clarified that the government did not alter the old system of judicial appointments and transfers; rather, the judges themselves had provided the proposals. He also criticized the ease with which the government is blamed and the ease with which derogatory remarks are directed at it.

He further explained that Justice Mansoor Ali Shah had provided the formula for judicial appointments and transfers, and when the government made constitutional amendments based on it, there was nothing wrong with it.

This statement comes after the Judicial Commission recently approved the appointment of six judges to the Supreme Court, but two senior judges, Justice Mansoor Ali Shah and Justice Munib Akhtar, boycotted the commission’s meeting. The matter of the 26th constitutional amendment has also sparked protests among the lawyers’ community, while some Supreme Court judges are pushing for the issue to be discussed in a full court session.