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Tuesday, January 7, 2025

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Lahore High Court’s Anti-Judicial Interference SOPs

 

In a significant move against judicial interference. Lahore High Court’s Justice Shahid Karim has issued five-point Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to prevent such occurrences. The Prime Minister’s Office, Intelligence Bureau (IB), Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). All civil and military agencies received directions to refrain from approaching any judges or their staff in the higher or lower judiciary.

Clear Instructions Required Lahore High Court’s

The court has mandated that these instructions must present in writing at the next hearing. Additionally, the Inspector General (IG) of Punjab received directions to issue similar instructions to subordinate officers. Anti-Terrorism Courts (ATC) judges were instructed to record all calls on their mobile phones. The ATCs in Punjab are to prioritize decisions on cases related to the events of May 9. Justice Shahid Karim has issued a four-page interim written order detailing these directives.

Context and Details Lahore High Court’s

Justice Shahid Karim issued this order while converting a suo motu notice regarding pressure on an ATC judge in Sargodha into a writ petition. The four-page interim order emphasized the necessity of protecting judicial independence. The federal government’s lawyer stated that the government does not support any interference in the higher and lower judiciary of Punjab and that issuing such instructions is essential to safeguard judicial independence.

Prime Minister’s Office and Agencies:

Someone must instruct the Prime Minister’s Office, IB, ISI, and all civil and military agencies to refrain from approaching any judge or their staff in the higher or lower judiciary. These instructions should present in clear, written form at the next court hearing.

IG Punjab Instructions:

The IG of Punjab must instruct all police officers not to directly contact any judge regarding the merits of any case they are considering.

Security Measures for ATCs:

Any security measures for ATCs in Punjab must be implemented only after consultation and consensus with the relevant judge. Any violation will hold the IG Punjab and the chief police officer of the concerned division or district personally accountable, facing contempt of court proceedings.

Call Recording by Judges:

Instructions require all judges of ATCs in Punjab to download call recording applications on their mobile phones. And to record any calls that may influence the cases they consider.

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