SC dismisses curative review reference against Justice Isa

Islamabad: Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial on Friday the petition for the withdrawal of a curative review reference brought against Senior Puisne Judge of the Supreme Court (SC) Qazi Faez Isa by the incumbent government was accepted.

"Instant Civil Misc. Applications filed by the appellants are accordingly allowed and their curative review petitions are dismissed as withdrawn," CJP Umar Ata Bandial noted in his written decision.

The SC decision stated that when the curatorial review is admissible, "under normal circumstances, the matter is sent to the court," adding that applicants are permitted by law to withdraw their applications.

Furthermore, on the federal government's petition, CJP Bandial had earlier in April of this year reserved the judgment.

It is important to note that the PTI government filed a reference against Justice Isa in May 2019 on the grounds that he obtained three London residences through leases in the names of his wife and children between 2011 and 2015 but failed to disclose them in his wealth declarations.

Justice Isa refuted the claim, claiming he is not a direct nor an indirect beneficial owner of the apartments.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had earlier in March ordered the law ministry to drop the curative review reference brought up against Justice Qazi Faez Isa, a senior judge on the Supreme Court.

The prime minister issued a statement ordering Federal Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar to drop the curative review case against Supreme Court Justice Qazi Faez Isa due to its "politically motivated" nature.

The premier added that Curative review reference (CRR) was simply filed to disparage Justice Qazi Faez Isa and his family. "This was not a reference, but rather a victimization by a vengeful PTI chief against an unbiased person who was following the law and the constitution."

Shehbazs said, "This was a conspiracy to usurp the independence of judiciary and create a division within."

Later, by Article 48 of the Constitution, President Dr. Arif Alvi accepted the withdrawal of the curative review petition and the civil miscellaneous application against Justice Isa.