As the outgoing Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa visited the monuments of the Supreme Court on October 25, he was surrounded by a plethora of reporters when he remarked: “You should be thankful to live in a country where you can say these things.”
Netizens, however, are not happy with the former CJP’s statement, calling it “problematic and highly condemnable.” In a Reddit post, a user posted the link to journalist Matiullah Jan’s recent video in which the former CJP could be seen walking around outside the Supreme Court yesterday when he passed these remarks in answer to journalists’ constant questions.
“Why does a now former chief justice find a problem when journalists ask valid questions? What did he mean by that? Even on his last day as a judge, he passes thug comments. How deplorable!” wrote the user in its post.
Another Reddit user commented: “He could have retired with grace and dignity. He sold his soul to the highest bidder and will face the consequence of his own actions.”
While another user commented: “Matiullah does know “Warna Kiya”. He faced contempt of court by a three member SC bench for tweets criticizing judges during Faez Isa case no less. Faez Isa wasn’t as trigger happy to use contempt as previous judges were.”
It should be noted that Supreme Court judges have been surrounded by infighting and controversy, especially regarding the government’s successful passing of the 26th Amendment, which was aimed at judicial reforms.
For instance, Justice Mansoor Ali Shah refused to attend Friday’s full court reference in honour of the outgoing Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP), Qazi Faez Isa.
The senior puisne judge Syed Mansoor Ali Shah, in a letter of refusal on the record of the reference proceedings, alleged that CJP Isa had not upheld the integrity of the judiciary during his tenure.
Full court reference is a long-standing tradition in legal systems and a ceremonial acknowledgement of the outgoing Chief Justice’s contributions and services to the judiciary, leadership and dedication to upholding the judiciary integrity.
In the strongly critical letter, Shah wrote: “To stand a Reference and celebrate such a tenure would send a message that a Chief Justice can betray his institution, erode its strength, act petty and low and still be celebrated as an honorable servant of justice. I am sorry, I in good conscience, cannot stand at a reference for such a Chief Justice.”
Syed Mansoor Ali Shah added, “Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa, like an ostrich, with his head in the sand, remained complacent and indifferent to external influences and pressure on the judiciary.”
“His tenure will be defined by pettiness, vindictiveness, and a lowly approach to administrative matters, having no grace or humility,” he said to Qazi Faez Isa while concluding in a letter.
On Thursday night, Justice Munib Akhtar, Justice Athar Minallah, Justice Ayesha Malik, and Justice Shahid Waheed, along with Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah, remained absent at the reception of Qazi Faez Isa.
