Summary
- During the proceedings, PTI lawyer Tayyib Mustafa Khan Kazmi stated, “Five hundred lawyers are standing outside; let’s see how this bench rules against the PTI.” This prompted Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa to summon the police, asserting, “We will not tolerate our insult.” The five-member bench, which included Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa, Justices Ameen Uddin, Jamal Khan Mandokhel, Naeem Akhtar Afghan, and Mazhar Alam, was reviewing petitions related to the controversial Article 63(A).
- In a heated exchange, the Chief Justice reiterated his commitment to not being insulted, while Justice Mazhar Alam reminded Kazmi not to make political statements within the courtroom.
- Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhel added that the trend of threatening judicial institutions must cease.
Tensions escalated during a Supreme Court hearing on Article 63(A) when a lawyer representing the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) issued a threatening remark towards the larger bench.
During the proceedings, PTI lawyer Tayyib Mustafa Khan Kazmi stated, “Five hundred lawyers are standing outside; let’s see how this bench rules against the PTI.”
This prompted Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa to summon the police, asserting, “We will not tolerate our insult.”
The five-member bench, which included Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa, Justices Ameen Uddin, Jamal Khan Mandokhel, Naeem Akhtar Afghan, and Mazhar Alam, was reviewing petitions related to the controversial Article 63(A).
Chief Justice Isa expressed his frustration in response to Kazmi’s remarks, questioning whether intimidation of national institutions was acceptable. “My only fault is that I have always exhibited patience,” he stated.
He further referenced former Chief Justice Saqib Nisar’s actions, emphasizing that despite any insults, the case would continue.
Kazmi defended the PTI’s stance, insisting that his party was the affected party and labeling the judicial bench as “not correct.” However, this assertion did little to calm the proceedings.
In a heated exchange, the Chief Justice reiterated his commitment to not being insulted, while Justice Mazhar Alam reminded Kazmi not to make political statements within the courtroom.
Kazmi eventually exited the courtroom after his remarks were met with stern disapproval.
Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhel added that the trend of threatening judicial institutions must cease.
He remarked, “This is not the way to behave. We are here for respect; we did not become judges for money. A judge’s salary is equal to what a lawyer pays in taxes.”
Justice Jamal also took a moment to address the implications of such conduct on the youth of Pakistan, suggesting that the tone set by some lawyers could lead to detrimental attitudes.
He called on Farooq H. Naek, the Vice Chairman of the Pakistan Bar Council, to ensure accountability for the lawyer’s behavior.
The court’s strong stance against intimidation and threats underscores its commitment to uphold the dignity of the judiciary amid rising tensions in the legal landscape.
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