PTI demands formation of inquiry commission to probe IHC judges’ allegations

Islamabad: The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Saturday demanded formation of an inquiry commission to investigate concerns raised by wix judges of the Islamabad High Court (IHC), akin to previous commissions tasked with examining issues such as the Memogate scandal and allegations of electoral rigging in 2013.

PTI leader Barrister Gohar Ali Khan said the party opposes the appointment of a retired judge to lead the commission and instead advocates for the inclusion of sitting judges in the inquiry process. Khan argued that former judges possess authority comparable to that of civil judges.

In a recent development, the federal government announced the formation of an inquiry commission to investigate allegations of intelligence agencies' interference in the judiciary, as raised by six judges of the IHC. The commission will be chaired by former Chief Justice Tassaduq Hussain Jillani.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif disclosed this decision during a federal cabinet session. The six IHC judges had penned a letter to the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) on March 26, urging it to convene a judicial convention to address concerns regarding alleged interference by intelligence agencies in judicial functions.

The judges involved in drafting the letter include Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kiyani, Justice Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri, Justice Baqir Sattar, Justice Sardar Ejaz Ishaq Khan, Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir, and Justice Salman Rafat Imtiaz.