The Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) has found retired judge Sayyed Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi guilty of misconduct and recommended his removal from office. The council, led by CJP Isa, includes SC’s Justice Tariq Masood and Justice Mansoor Ali Shah, Lahore High Court Chief Justice Muhammad Ameer Bhatti, and Balochistan High Court CJ Naeem Akhtar.
Naqvi had already resigned in January before the recommendation was made public. The SJC had discussed various matters, including the allegations against Naqvi, during a meeting on Feb 29. Naqvi had faced complaints and a show-cause notice from the council following his involvement in an alleged audio leak.
After multiple challenges and responses from Naqvi, the SJC had given him a deadline to respond to the misconduct allegations. Naqvi maintained that the allegations against him were false and later withdrew his objection to the council’s proceedings. Despite objections from his colleague Justice Ijazul Ahsan, the SJC continued its proceedings against Naqvi.
The SJC also amended its Code of Conduct to allow judges to respond to publicized allegations, stating that judges could issue clarifications without violating any rules. Additionally, the council issued a notice to a BHC judge regarding complaints against him.