Islamabad:
After a break of almost seven months, the president of the Supreme Court of Pakistan (CJP) Yahya Afridi has called a meeting of the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) on July 12.
The SJC is a constitutional body empowered to proceed against the judges of the superior courts for charges of misconduct.
Currently, CJP Afridi serves as president. Other members include Judge Syed Mansoor Ali Shah, Judge Munib Akhtar, the president of the Superior Court of Lahore, the Supreme Court Alia Neelum and the president of the Superior Court of Sindh, Junaid Ghaffar.
Currently, the Council is examining several complaints of misconduct against judges of the Superior Court.
During its previous meeting in December of last year, the Council discussed the amendments proposed to the Code of Conduct for Judges under article 209 (8) of the Constitution, as well as reviews to the investigation procedure of the Supreme Judicial Council, 2005.
A committee headed by Judge Munib Akhtar was established to prepare the amendments proposed to both the code of conduct and the investigation procedure.
The committee is expected to present its proposals at the next meeting.
Last year, six judges of the Superior Court of Islamabad (IHC) had sought orientation of the SJC regarding the interference of the executive agencies in judicial functions.
However, instead of addressing the matter within the SJC, then the president of the Supreme Court Qazi Faez Isa initiated the SUO MOTU procedures on the subject.
