ISLAMABAD: The opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Thursday fiercely condemned the Islamabad High Court’s (IHC) decision to remove Justice Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri, branding it a dangerous and deeply troubling move that imperils the very core of judicial independence in the country.
In a statement, the party described the ruling as a profound breach of constitutional principles, accusing the court of denying the fundamental rights of an individual to be heard, to access due process, and to receive a fair trial. “This is not justice,” the party asserted. “It is a gross miscarriage of justice.”
The PTI went on to emphasise that the Constitution clearly mandates the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) as the sole, constitutional body to address allegations of judicial misconduct, corruption, or breaches of conduct, underlining that the IHC’s decision directly contradicts these clear provisions.
“Bypassing this constitutional forum to decide a judge’s fate through alternative, arbitrary means is a flagrant violation of the country’s legal framework,” PTI stated, warning that such a move could undermine the already fragile authority of the SJC, further diminishing its institutional and symbolic importance.
The party raised alarm that the ruling extends far beyond the removal of one judge, warning that it sets a dangerous precedent for the entire judiciary.
“If a judge can be removed in this arbitrary manner today, what is to stop others from facing the same fate tomorrow,” PTI asked, highlighting concerns over the potential destabilisation of the country’s judicial system.
Amid growing unease over the IHC decision, PTI called for urgent action to safeguard judicial independence, demanding that all judges be guaranteed the protections enshrined in the constitution.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Comments
Comments are closed for this article.