Observer Report
Islamabad
The Supreme Court on Tuesday sought legal assistance from the attorney general of Pakistan as it heard a petition asking for a probe into the Vide gate controversy involving an accountability court judge.
Chief Justice Asif Saeed Khosa, during the hearing, observed that the controversy ‘must be looked into’ as the meetings by the judge, Arshad Malik , are ‘unusual and extraordinary’ and added that the issue is of the judiciary’s integrity.
He also wondered why the judge had held meetings with people connected to individuals he had convicted. The petitioner’s counsel prayed upon the court to conduct a judicial inquiry in the matter.
“It would be better if a retired SC judge heads the inquiry commission,” said the counsel when asked who should lead the probe. Justice Bandial identified three key issues that need to be taken into consideration: the sanctity of the institution, the correctness of the judgment and any misconduct by the judge under scrutiny.
