ISLAMABAD – The Supreme Court has stated that Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa’s off-the-record conversation with journalists was reported unnecessarily and inaccurately.
In a statement issued by the Supreme Court, it was mentioned that the off-the-record conversation with Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa was misreported. A journalist had asked the Chief Justice about an extension of his tenure.
The statement said that in response to the journalist’s question, Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa explained that several months ago, the Law Minister had come to his chamber for a meeting and informed him that the government was considering extending the Chief Justice’s term to three years.
According to the Supreme Court’s statement, the Chief Justice replied that if the proposal is intended for a single individual, it would not be acceptable. Attorney General and Justice Mansoor Ali Shah were also present during the Law Minister’s meeting with the Chief Justice.
The statement further noted that the Law Minister discussed the role of the Parliamentary Committee in judges’ appointments and mentioned a proposal to merge the Judicial Commission and the Parliamentary Committee into one body for this purpose. The Chief Justice responded that this is at the discretion of Parliament.
It was also stated that the Chief Justice expressed hope that opposition members would not be excluded from the proposed new body for judges’ appointments.
The Supreme Court added that a journalist asked a follow-up question regarding Rana Sanaullah’s statement. The Chief Justice replied that he has neither met Rana Sanaullah nor is aware of his statement; any questions related to that should be directed to the concerned individual.
According to the statement, the Chief Justice was also questioned about increasing the number of judges. He responded that the existing vacant positions should be filled first.
In its statement, the Supreme Court expressed regret that the off-the-record conversation was unnecessarily and inaccurately broadcast.
