LHC decision could have derailed elections, says CJP

Islamabad: Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa Friday said that the election could have been derailed by a single decision of the Lahore High Court (LHC).

A full court meeting was held on the retirement of Supreme Court Justice Sardar Tariq Masood, addressing which Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa stated that in his opinion, unnecessary objection was made to Justice Tariq in the intra-court appeals in the military courts.

The Chief Justice added: ‘Justice Sardar Tariq Masood had not given any opinion in his note on the issue of military courts, he had refused to sit in the bench on objection’.

Sardar Tariq Masood played a very important role in the Practice Procedure Committee. He used to say that 40 to 50 cases should be placed in his court. Justice Sardar Tariq Masood's court is famous for delivering more decisions, stated Qazi Faez.

The Chief Justice continued to say that Justice Tariq Masood also has a role in the background, he had the right to become the Chief Justice of LHC. By not appointing Justice Sardar Tariq the Chief Justice, the province suffered, however, Supreme Court benefited because he came here.

CJP Isa further said that the election could have been derailed by a decision of the LHC. ‘We sat and heard the case against this order at night before going for vacation. We then wanted to hear that case by forming a bench of three senior judges’.

He also stated that Justice Ijaz-ul-Ahsan had refused to sit in the bench and we added another senior judge at his place and delivered the verdict at 12 o'clock in the night. If this was not the case, the elections could have derailed from the date announced by President of Pakistan and the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).

The Chief Justice further added that they are aware of the vacant posts of judges in the Supreme Court. The amendments in the rules regarding the appointment of judges are being considered. It is time to have a separate secretariat of the Judicial Commission for the appointment of judges.