Justice (retired) Mazahar Ali Naqvi guilty of misconduct: SJC

The Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) on Thursday held ex-Supreme Court Judge Justice (retired) Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi is guilty of misconduct.

In a short statement on Thursday, the top judicial body opined that the ex-judge was guilty of misconduct and "should have been removed from the office of Judge".

The SJC has forwarded its recommendations to the President of Pakistan. 

Naqvi, who is facing ‘misconduct’ allegations in the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC)  forwarded his resignation to the President of Pakistan, Dr Arif Alvi in January.

It was an honour to work as Lahore High Court and Supreme Court judge, Mazahar Ali Naqvi said and added he could not continue discharging his duties.

“I, therefore. effective today resign as a Judge of the Supreme Court of Pakistan,” the letter added.

SJC Chairman Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa stated that the former judge was given several opportunities to cross-examine the witnesses but did not appear, adding that the forum could not compel anyone to do so.

In the last hearing witness Zahid Rafiq provided documents regarding Raja Safdar, a person involved in the sale of land to Naqvi. He told the forum that he did not make any arrangements for Naqvi's stay in London.

Chief Justice Isa asked him about the payment of £10,000. Rafiq replied that there was no such thing in his records, but added that £5,000 was paid. In response to another query from the chief justice, he said that he had not brought the audit report with him.

It may be noted that the hearing of the SJC was open at the request of the ex-judge but he did not appear before it