Senior puisne judge Justice Qazi Faez Isa, leading a three-member judicial commission formed to investigate alleged leaked audio clips circulating on social media, has indefinitely adjourned the commission’s proceedings. Read more.
This decision comes a day after the Supreme Court, headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial, ordered the commission to halt its activities.
The federal government established the commission on May 20 in response to concerns about the judiciary’s independence due to the alleged audio leaks. Justice Isa serves as the head of the commission alongside Balochistan High Court Chief Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan and Islamabad High Court Chief Justice Aamer Farooq.
On Friday, the Supreme Court intervened in the commission’s proceedings by staying its activities, suspending the government’s appointment notification issued on May 19, and halting the implementation of the commission’s order to conduct open hearings and disclose the findings.
During the hearing on Saturday, Justice Isa referred to the Supreme Court’s “judicial order” and adjourned the commission’s meeting accordingly. A written order detailing the proceedings was subsequently issued.
According to the available copy of the written order, Attorney General for Pakistan Mansoor Usman Awan was instructed to read the Supreme Court’s order from the previous day. When asked if the inquiry commission was included as a respondent, Awan confirmed that in Constitution petitions no. 14 and 15/2023, the commission was designated as respondent number 2 through its secretary.
In light of the Supreme Court’s order, the commission proceedings have been adjourned, as stated in today’s order.
The adjournment of the commission’s proceedings, led by Senior puisne Judge Justice Qazi Faez Isa, follows the Supreme Court’s directive. The impact of the alleged audio leaks and their implications for the judiciary’s independence will continue to be examined as the legal proceedings unfold.
