ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) has strongly criticized Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) request for Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa to withdraw from cases involving the party.
In an official statement, the PBC described the demand as “unfortunate and unacceptable,” asserting that it was an effort to exert pressure on the CJP and compromise the judiciary’s independence.
The council emphasized that CJP Isa is a highly esteemed and impartial judge, whose integrity is beyond question.
The PBC further highlighted that the CJP has consistently upheld the rule of law and the Constitution’s supremacy, and any attempts to malign him or the judiciary would be firmly rejected.
The council reiterated its commitment to maintaining an independent judiciary and the rule of law.
Previously, PTI had called for CJP Isa to recuse himself from cases concerning the party and its founder, Imran Khan, expressing concerns about bias and impartiality.
A statement issued after the PTI core committee meeting demanded the recusal, alleging that the CJP’s involvement had a “negative impact” on ensuring a fair trial.
This demand arose as the Supreme Court was set to hear the Sunni Ittehad Council’s (SIC) reserved seats case on June 3, with CJP Isa presiding over the bench.
Notably, Imran Khan had recently appeared before a Supreme Court bench led by CJP Isa in a case regarding amendments to the National Accountability (NAB) Ordinance 1999
