CJP Faiz Isa, Justice Athar Minullah engage in 'verbal spat' during live proceedings

Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa and Justice Athar Minullah engaged in a verbal spat during the live transmission of the case related to the allegations regarding interference in judicial matters. 

A six-member bench, headed by CJP Qazi Faez Isa, comprising Justice Athar Minullah, Justice Mansoor Ali Shah, Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail, Justice Musarrat Hilali, and Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan, resumed the hearing of a suo motu case pertaining to allegations leveled by six Islamabad High Court judges regarding interference in judicial matters. 

During the hearing, Justice Athar Minallah remarked that the “truth was hidden for 76 years”

In a hearing, Justice Minullah sought an answer from the federal government about interference in judicial affairs.

Reading his own additional note, he said: “Federal government controls the agencies, and it should clarify its position.” 

At one point during the hearing, Justice Minallah said, “We have lied for 76 years and hidden the truth, which has eroded our credibility.”

“The truth should come from somewhere else. After sitting here, you’re actually accepting that you were complicit,” the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) President Shahzad Shaukat said.

In response, Justice Minallah remarked, “It is not I who said it, it is the attorney general who said it.”

Moreover, he asked, “Why are we scared and why don't we speak the truth, we should acknowledge that interference exists in judicial affairs.”

To this, CJP Isa said: “I don't agree with Minullah’s remarks, you should go home instead of sitting here if it is true.”

"Those judges who are unable to do anything despite seeing interference should not sit here,” CJP added.