The Supreme Court banned new appointments and transfers of officials involved in high-profile cases, National Accountability Bureau (NAB) cases, and those being heard by special courts on Thursday.
While hearing a suo motu case relating to “perceived interference” by “persons in authority” in investigations and legal proceedings of criminal matters against government officials, the Supreme Court also issued notices to NAB Chairman Justice (retd) Javed Iqbal, Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Director-General, and the Interior Secretary.
On Thursday, a five-member Supreme Court bench led by Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial heard the case. Justice Ijazul Ahsan, Justice Munib Akhtar, Justice Sayyed Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi, and Justice Mohammad Ali Mazhar were the other judges on the bench.
While issuing notices, the Supreme Court asked the parties involved to explain why there was “interference” in criminal cases. All provincial prosecutor generals and the FIA’s legal director were also served with notices.
A day earlier, the CJP had taken suo motu notice of a Supreme Court judge’s recommendations regarding perceived interference with the prosecution branch’s independence in carrying out its power and duties for the investigation and prosecution of pending criminal matters involving persons in government authority.
According to a press release issued by the Supreme Court, such interference could affect case prosecution, result in tampering or disappearance of evidence in courts or in the possession of prosecuting agencies, and result in transfers and postings of officers in key positions.
According to the press release, such actions, along with “media reports” about changes in accountability laws, were likely to “undermine” the country’s criminal justice system. “This [is] a violation of fundamental rights affecting society as a whole and eroding [people’s] confidence in the rule of law and constitutionalism in the country,” it added.
