Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial on Wednesday took suo motu notice of “perceived interference” by “persons in authority” in investigation and prosecution of criminal matters against government officials. According to a press release issued by the Supreme Court, the CJP took the notice on the recommendation of a fellow apex court judge about the “perceived interference in the independence of the prosecution branch in performance of its powers and duties for the investigation and prosecution of pending criminal matters involving persons in authority in the government today.”
The press release added that such interference could influence the prosecution of cases, result in tampering or disappearing of evidence in courts or in possession of prosecuting agencies and lead to transfers and postings of officers on key posts. The press release said that such actions, along with “media reports” about changes in accountability laws, were likely to “undermine” the functioning of the country’s criminal justice system. ”That tant amounts to violation of fundamental rights affecting the society as a whole and eroding [of] the confidence of the people in the rule of law and constitutionalism in the country,” it added. It said the CJP would head a five-member bench presiding over the hearing for the case tomorrow (Thursday) at 1pm.
The SC press release did not indicate which “pending criminal matters” it was referring to. However, the Federal Investigation Agency is currently pursuing a money laundering case against Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Punjab Chief Minister Hamza Shehbaz.
Source:DAWN.COM
Monday, April 20, 2026
