A five-member bench of the Supreme Court rejected the federal government’s concerns on the bench in the audio leaks case on Friday.
Led by Justice Bandial, the bench includes Justice Ijazul Ahsan, Justice Munib Akhtar, Justice Syed Hasan Azhar Rizvi and Justice Shahid Waheed. The decision was reserved in June.
The Pakistan Democratic Movement government had raised objections over the inclusion of the Justice Bandial, Justice Ijaz and Justice Muneeb in the bench hearing the case against the formation of a judicial commission to probe audio leaks.
The judicial commission on audio leaks was supposed to be headed by Justice Qazi Faez Isa, the nominated chief justice. The bench has already stopped the commission from working.
The commission was set up after multiple audios including those of former Punjab Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi and the CJ’s mother-in-law were leaked to the media. Many leaked audios seemingly cast doubts over the judiciary at a time when cases involving Imran Khan and election delay were being held.
The ruling alliance, particularly the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz, had raised questions over the impartiality of Justice Bandial and Justice Ahsan.
The matter also intensified debate over divisions inside the country’s top court, since the judge heading the commission was next in line to become chief justice.
Later in the day, Chief Justice and Umar Ata Bandia and Justice Qazi Faez Isa will sit together on a bench. The three-member bench, which also incudes Justice Mansoor Ali Shah, will announce decisions in cases on tax and revenue.
