Observer Report Islamabad
The Supreme Court had again fixed deposed Islamabad High Court judge Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui petition’s for hearing against his removal on June 7.
Earlier, Siddiqui had moved the top court for an early hearing of his petition against his removal by the Supreme Judicial Council two years ago.
On October 11, 2018, President Arif Alvi removed Justice Siddiqui as IHC judge on the recommendation of the SJC.
The president took the decision under Article 209(5) on the SJC recommendation under Article 209(6) read with Article 48(1) of the Constitution, a notification issued by the Ministry of Law and Justice stated.
The council had unanimously opined that while delivering a speech before the District Bar Association in Rawalpindi on July 21, Justice Siddiqui had displayed conduct unbecoming of a high court judge.
Siddiqui, who is retiring on June 30, requested the apex court to fix his case on June 1 for day-to-day hearing. The former judge in his application narrated how his case was being delayed.
It is pertinent to mention here that since 2018, no substantial proceedings took place except the issuance of notice after two-and-half years in January 2021.
“The matter got delayed for unknown reasons which is apparent on the face of the record in as much firstly frivolous office objections were raised against which a Miscellaneous Appeal bearing No 140 of 2018 was filed which came up for hearing before a Larger Bench.