Chief Justice of Pakistan, Qazi Faez Isa, exhibited profound dismay during a court session regarding the harassment of journalists, underlining a serious concern over the role of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and the performance of the Islamabad police. The case, deliberated by a three-member bench led by Chief Justice Isa, focused on the FIA’s actions, including issuing notices to journalists.
Chief Justice Isa specifically criticized the Islamabad police’s inspector-general for the failure to trace individuals involved in crimes against journalists, despite the existence of crime records. His remarks to the Attorney General highlighted a pressing demand for accountability and change within the police force, reflecting frustration with the ongoing situation.
During the proceedings, the court was informed that journalist Asad Toor was imprisoned, based on an FIR lodged against him. This revelation prompted the Chief Justice to question the basis and the severity of the charges, especially those involving sensitive information, and to critique the apparent misuse of legal provisions to target Toor.
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Chief Justice Isa was particularly critical of the discrepancy between the allegations in the inquiry notice, which accused Toor of running a campaign against the judiciary, and the actual contents of the FIR, which did not support this claim. He suggested that such actions might misuse the judiciary’s authority, potentially harming its public image.
The suggestion to issue a contempt of court notice to the FIA was mooted by Chief Justice Isa, noting that no judicial complaint had been made against Toor and that implicating the judiciary without basis could lead to defamation.
Additionally, Chief Justice Isa questioned the involvement of an ISI representative in the Joint Investigation Team (JIT), arguing that the ISI’s role as an intelligence agency does not extend to law enforcement activities. This point underscores a broader concern regarding the appropriate roles and boundaries of various state institutions in legal and investigative processes.
