SJC ‘issues’ show-cause to Justice Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi

Islamabad (PNI) The Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) has sent a show-cause notice to Justice Sayyed Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi in response to complaints lodged against him, according to sources from Geo News on Friday. The notice was issued during a meeting chaired by Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa, who leads the SJC along with senior judges Justice Tariq Masood and Justice Ijaz Ul Ahsan. Justice Naqvi has been directed to respond by November 10.

Chief Justice Isa called the SJC meeting a day prior to address complaints filed against high court judges. This gathering marked the first SJC meeting under Chief Justice Isa’s leadership in over three years. The SJC, the sole constitutional body empowered to dismiss superior court judges on various charges, deliberated on misconduct complaints against Justice Naqvi, among others. Justice Masood, a senior Supreme Court judge and SJC member, had submitted his legal opinion on the complaints against Justice Naqvi in September, following a referral by former Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial.

Initially, a misconduct complaint against Justice Naqvi was filed with the SJC by Lahore-based lawyer Muhammad Dawood. Subsequently, Pakistan Bar Council Vice Chairman Haroon Rashid submitted another misconduct complaint after leaked audio suggested discussions about case manipulation involving former Punjab Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi. It remains unclear whether notices or actions against other judges were discussed during the meeting.

The SJC, responsible for holding judges of superior courts and high-ranking government officials accountable, comprises five members, including the Chief Justice of Pakistan, the two most senior judges of the Supreme Court, and the two most senior chief justices of high courts.