Justice Qazi Faez Isa, the second most senior judge of the Supreme Court (SC), issued a statement to refute ‘false interpretations’ in media that he did not “exchange greetings with Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial or shake his hand at a ceremony”.
“Justice Iqbal Hameed Ur Rahman was sworn in as the Chief Justice of the Federal Shariat Court yesterday (1 June 2023). Right after the ceremony ended, I went first to congratulate his wife where I met Justice Umar Ata Bandial and greeted him. Then I went to greet Justice Rahman,” he said in the statement.
Justice Qazi Faez Isa noted, “Later, I went to chat with Dr Syed Muhammad Anwer, a former Aalim Judge of the FSC, when Mr Justice Bandial came to greet him too. Someone recorded this moment and wrongly added that I had not greeted Justice Bandial, even though I had done so just a few minutes earlier”.
“Justice Rahman’s wife wanted to introduce me to some of her relatives, which was why I turned,” he added.
The SC judge further said that some false interpretations have appeared in the media of the events at the ceremony. He requested not to spread factually incorrect stories “as they create unnecessary and avoidable misunderstandings and damage”.
Justice Isa also dismissed the impression of divisions in the top judiciary. “It is also factually incorrect to say in the same breath that I have deliberately created a separate group within the Supreme Court”.
“This is completely untrue. I stand by my oath of office, to defend and uphold the Constitution of Pakistan and cannot agree with anything less. Twisting facts to create a controversial narrative is harmful to the institution.”
“Let us not be distracted, let us work together to build a strong judicial system that focuses on the delivery of speedy justice,” he added.
There has been a rift in the Supreme Court (SC) which is being constantly reported in media especially after CJP Umar Ata Bandial initiated the suo motu proceedings for holding elections for the Punjab Assembly.
