Not written anywhere CJP has authority to appoint judges: Justice Isa.

KARACHI -- Senior puisne judge of the Supreme Court Justice Qazi Faez Isa said Saturday "it is not written anywhere that the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) has the authority to appoint judges".

The remark came during Sindh High Court Bar Association's annual dinner as Justice Isa expressed astonishment over the conduct of the then-federal law minister, Azam Nazeer Tarar, and Attorney-General of Pakistan Ashtar Ali Ausaf for deviating from their previous stance.

The justice, who was also a member of the Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP), said that the vote of a commission member is a trust that should be used without any fear or favour.

He said that he was astonished over the conduct of the former law minister and AGP for deviating from their previous stance, which they took in the judicial commission's meeting on the elevation of high court judges to the Supreme Court.

Justice Isa stated that the Constitution guarantees every commission member the right to vote and that the appointment of judges should be made through deliberate and meaningful consultation among commission members.

He said that federal ministers used to take oaths under the Constitution, similar to judges, promising to carry out their duties without fear or favour. Still, now they vote in commission without providing any valid reasons.

The senior SC judge said that those who could not exercise their right to vote independently should resign, referring to the famous US politician's quote that people who could not stand the heat of the kitchen should keep out of it.

Justice Isa urged the legal fraternity to remain independent and avoid asking for any grant from the government. He said that if the bar expects the judiciary to remain independent, then it is likely that the bar should also remain independent from the executive, as the grants the government...

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