‘Off the record discussion with CJP reported wrongly’

Islamabad: The Secretary to Chief Justice Qazi Faiz Isa on Tuesday stated that an off-the-record conversation with the Chief Justice was reported incorrectly.

In a statement, regarding the informal discussion between Chief Justice Qazi Faiz Isa and journalists, Chief Justice Secretary Dr. Mushtaq Ahmed said that the off-the-record conversation with the Chief Justice had been misreported.

Dr. Ahmed explained that a journalist had asked Chief Justice Qazi Faiz Isa about an extension of his term.

The Chief Justice responded that several months ago, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar had visited his chamber and mentioned that they were considering extending the Chief Justice's term to three years.

The Chief Justice replied that if the proposal was for an individual person, it would not be accepted.

According to the Secretary, the meeting between the Law Minister and the Chief Justice also included the Attorney General and Justice Mansoor Ali Shah.

He added that the Law Minister had discussed the role of the parliamentary committee in judicial appointments, suggesting that the Judicial Commission and the parliamentary committee be merged for appointing judges. The Chief Justice responded to Azam Nazeer Tarar that this was a matter of parliamentary discretion.

Dr. Mushtaq Ahmed stated that Chief Justice Qazi Faiz Isa had said that opposition members should not be excluded from the newly proposed body for judicial appointments.

Regarding a follow-up question on Rana Sanaullah's statement, the Chief Justice mentioned that he had neither met Rana Sanaullah nor was he aware of the statement. He advised that any questions related to it should be directed to the relevant person.

Dr. Ahmed also mentioned that a question was raised about increasing the number of judges. The Chief Justice responded that any vacant positions should be filled first.

The Secretary's statement concluded with regret over the incorrect and unnecessary broadcast of the off-the-record conversation. He clarified that the Law Minister had never held a private meeting with the Chief Justice.

It is noteworthy that during an informal discussion with journalists on the first day of the new judicial year, a question was asked about Rana Sanaullah's statement, which suggested that if the retirement age of all judges were extended, the Chief Justice would also agree to an extension.

The Chief Justice responded that Rana Sanaullah should be brought before him. He mentioned a previous meeting where Azam Nazeer Tarar, Justice Mansoor Ali Shah, and the Attorney General were present, but Rana Sanaullah was not. He was informed that there was a proposal to extend the term of all Chief Justices, but he stated that while other judges could be extended, he would not accept it.