All institutions, including SC accountable, to people: CJP
SJC gives ex-judge Naqvi another chance to present his case
ISLAMABAD (News Des): The Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) on Thursday gave Justice (retd) Sayyed Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi — who faces complaints of misconduct — another chance to present his viewpoint before the body.
The development came a day after Naqvi stepped down from his post due to “circumstances which are a matter of public knowledge and to some extent public record”.
The SJC served an intimation notice on Naqvi, whose resignation was accepted by President Arif Alvi earlier today, asking him to appear before the body tomorrow if he wants to give his viewpoint against the complaints lodged against him.
During the course of proceedings, SJC Chairman Justice Qazi Faez Isa remarked there could be two reasons behind the judge’s resignation: the complaint against the judge was false and he stepped down under pressure or the allegations were true and he did not want to face them.
“The question of judge’s dismissal is now irrelevant,” he stated, adding that the council had just sent a report to the president.
“If allegations had been proven, then the council would have requested the president for the judge’s dismissal.”
All institutions, including SC, were accountable to the people, remarked Justice Isa, adding: “If everyone learns this thing, all the problems will be solved.”
Meanwhile, the SJC, noting that Naqvi’s lawyers would be heard if they requested, adjourned the proceedings till 11am today (Friday).
The former judge submitted his resignation hours after a three-member bench of the apex court rejected Justice (retd) Naqvi’s plea seeking halting of the SJC’s proceedings.
Several complaints of misconduct were filed against Justice (retd) Naqvi with the SJC by lawyers as well as the Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) seeking his removal, particularly after his name surfaced in connection with an alleged audio leak.