ISLAMABAD: Following the questioning of judges by senators Faisal Vawada and Talal Chaudhry regarding allegations of interference by intelligence agencies in judicial matters, leaders of MQM-P and Istehkam-i-Pakistan Party (IPP) also joined the discussion on Thursday, reminding the judiciary of its own shortcomings.
During separate press conferences held at the National Press Club, Syed Mustafa Kamal from MQM-P and Awn Chaudhry from IPP emphasized the need for ethical standards to be established for judges.
Mr. Kamal, the deputy convener of MQM-P, highlighted the limited access to justice for ordinary citizens as the most serious issue in the country.
“The system fails to deliver justice. It can only be obtained through monetary means,” Mr. Kamal stated, clarifying that these were not his personal accusations but rather a common perception shared by judges as well.
Mustafa Kamal and Awn Chaudhry are examining the varying application of dual nationality laws on politicians and judges.
Mr. Kamal, alongside other party leaders, emphasized that the judiciary has established “ethical standards” for politicians, highlighting the issue of judges holding dual citizenship as a significant concern. He mentioned a letter penned by a senator to the Islamabad High Court inquiring about a judge’s dual citizenship.
According to Mr. Kamal, the response from the IHC stated that there is no constitutional restriction on judges holding dual citizenship, contrasting the standards applied to politicians. He also pointed out a growing tension between the judiciary and the military, noting the current polarization in the country and highlighting the army as a unifying force.
Mr. Kamal expressed his desire for the resolution of these issues, emphasizing that politicians should not ignore these critical matters. He stressed the importance of addressing security concerns through consensus rather than using them for political gain.
Furthermore, he criticized the behavior of judges, suggesting that those who raise such issues may have questionable actions themselves.
The judge’s alleged ownership of a housing society and alleged promotion of it has been brought to our attention. It is important to investigate the involvement of foreign powers in this matter to determine if there has been any foreign interference. Additionally, there should be clear rules, regulations, and ethical standards in place for the judiciary. If there are any flaws in the Constitution, they should be addressed through legislation.
In light of this, the announcement has been made that this matter will be taken up in Parliament. Legislation will be introduced to establish a code of conduct and transparency standards for the judiciary.
When asked about the reason for holding the press conference, the MQM-P leader explained that there have been reports of differences between the judiciary and establishment in the media. Therefore, they felt the need to address the public through the media.
He further emphasized that if a different platform had been available, they would have utilized it to express their concerns.
Subsequently, Mr. Chaudhry from IPP also held a news conference on the same issue. He expressed his belief that a crisis has been created, which could lead to anarchy in the country.
He reiterated the points raised by the MQM-P leaders during their news conference and called for equal interpretation of the law for all citizens.
