Islamabad: The Supreme Court has issued a suo motu notice to Senator Faisal Vawda in a press conference directed at the Islamabad High Court (IHC) Justice Babar Sattar, seeking evidence of interference in the judicial process.
A three-judge bench headed by the Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa will hear the matter on Friday (tomorrow), the Express Tribune reported on Thursday.
The development came hours after the IHC responded to Wawda’s letter seeking clarification on Justice Sattar’s citizenship. The court said that under Pakistan’s constitution, citizenship or residence permit in another country does not bar a lawyer from becoming a judge.
In its reply, the court said that details of dual citizenship were not asked of lawyers who were considered for the post of high court judge.
The controversy over Justice Sattar started when six judges of the IHC wrote to the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) complaining about interference by intelligence agencies in the proceedings. Adalat Sattar became the target of a smear campaign on social media and leaked confidential information about him, his wife and children including travel documents.
Justice Sattar has reportedly written a separate letter to IHC Chief Justice Farooq stating that “high officials” of security agencies will be barred from reviewing surveillance procedures in whistle-blowing cases.
A day later, Senator Wawda said in a press conference that he was “targeted” and “bullied” by Justice Sattar to present evidence to support his allegations of obstruction of proceedings.
The senator asked why the judge did not disclose the matter to the public.
“Article 19 of the Constitution gives every Pakistani the right to seek information. I am seeking details from you (Justice Sattar) as a senator,” he said.
Wawda expressed hope that the IHC judges will give evidence soon, and if Justice Sattar does not do so, several questions will arise.
He also said that the judges and the high court were responsible for clearing the air and asked if the lack of written documents related to financial problems, if it is true, raised doubts not only in him but also in the former IHC CJ. Justice Athar Minallah.
In an earlier interview with a private TV channel, the senator said he did not know Babar Sattar of the Islamabad High Court personally but felt he was “a better person or judge” because he was “appointed during his government”.
Wawda said he had heard many “negative things” about Justice Sattar in his cabinet. The senator said he believes that when criticism is directed at a person, there should be a visible “spark” within it.
Addressing Justice Sattar and other judges in the Lettergate scandal, he asked why the judge’s conscience was not clear when Wawda Nasla demolished his temple.
“When our judge’s wife insults the daughter of a poor man, the Supreme Court should take notice”.
Vawda said there were rumors on social media that Adalat Sattar was running a chain of schools. “We don’t know whether it is true or not. Justice Sattar should come and clear himself,” he said.
