Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial has taken a suo motu notice of what he called ‘interference’ in the accountability processes and the undermining of the criminal justice system by 'persons in authority'.
According to the notice which was released today (Wednesday), Chief Justice Bandial has taken a suo motu notice of 'perceived interference' in the independence of the prosecution branch in carrying out its duties regarding the prosecution of pending criminal matters involving 'persons of authority'.
The statement said that such interference may influence the prosecution of cases and result in tampering or disappearing of evidence, or the transfer of involved officials to different branches.
Such actions, along with "media reports" about changes in accountability laws, were likely to "undermine" the functioning of the country's criminal justice system, said the press release.
"That [is] tantamount 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."
The press release did not specify which criminal cases it was referring to that involved 'persons of authority'. However it is pertinent to note that the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) is currently probing into an alleged corruption case involving Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and his son Chief Minister Hamza Shehbaz.
The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) coalition government has also expressed interest in amending the NAB laws, with some members suggesting dissolving the institution entirely.
Previously, after the former director of the FIA Mohammad Rizwan died of a heart attack, ousted prime minister Imran Khan alleged that Rizwan had been under 'immense pressure' from PM Shehbaz, and had died as a result of that pressure.
According to the notice which was released today (Wednesday), Chief Justice Bandial has taken a suo motu notice of 'perceived interference' in the independence of the prosecution branch in carrying out its duties regarding the prosecution of pending criminal matters involving 'persons of authority'.
The statement said that such interference may influence the prosecution of cases and result in tampering or disappearing of evidence, or the transfer of involved officials to different branches.
Such actions, along with "media reports" about changes in accountability laws, were likely to "undermine" the functioning of the country's criminal justice system, said the press release.
"That [is] tantamount 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."
The press release did not specify which criminal cases it was referring to that involved 'persons of authority'. However it is pertinent to note that the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) is currently probing into an alleged corruption case involving Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and his son Chief Minister Hamza Shehbaz.
The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) coalition government has also expressed interest in amending the NAB laws, with some members suggesting dissolving the institution entirely.
Previously, after the former director of the FIA Mohammad Rizwan died of a heart attack, ousted prime minister Imran Khan alleged that Rizwan had been under 'immense pressure' from PM Shehbaz, and had died as a result of that pressure.