ISLAMABAD / KARACHI – As the Supreme Court issued a suo motu notice to Faisal Vawda for his criticism of alleged intelligence agency interference in judicial affairs, as highlighted by high court judges in a letter to the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC), an adamant senator declared on Thursday that he would rather sacrifice respect than back down.
The Supreme Court is set to commence suo motu proceedings against Vawda today. The case will be presided over by a three-judge bench led by Pakistan’s Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa.
Vawda, who did not get the notice until Thursday evening, stated that he was prepared to appear before an honest chief justice.
“I stand by what I said during the press conference [on Wednesday]. I didn’t mention any judges’ names. “If you accuse me, you must provide evidence,” the senator stated in a statement.
Vawda claimed he had been singled out, despite the fact that Sindh Governor Kamran Tesorri, PML-N leader Talal Chaudhry, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, and MQM-P leader Mustafa Kamal had all spoken out on the issue.
He claimed his ‘crime’ was simply raising questions.
In a press conference on Wednesday, Vawda remarked that high court judges must either produce evidence to back up their claims or desist from criticizing state institutions.
The senator questioned statements made by Islamabad High Court judge Babar Sattar, noting that “merely making accusations isn’t enough; evidence must be presented in court.”
The senator stated that if evidence is produced, he will support the judges, emphasizing the significance of exposing individuals who interfere with court proceedings.
Vawda underlined the sacrifices made by both soldiers and police officers, questioning whether the constitution requires them [police and military] to lay down their lives alone.
He was appalled that intelligence organizations were continually cited, as if a governmental institution was being insulted.
Vawda also chastised politicians, suspecting their involvement.
The senator demanded an end to this maligning, highlighting the urgency of reversing Pakistan’s economic collapse.
Vawda stated that anyone who presents a threat to Pakistan will face consequences. “Those who show respect will receive double in return, while those who act inappropriately will face double the consequences.”
He cautioned avoiding behind-the-scenes gossip, instead promoting transparency and openness.
The former minister sought Justice Babar Sattar to give evidence of the alleged interference. He also requested that the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) intervene in the matter.
It should be noted that in March, six of the eight Islamabad High Court (IHC) justices submitted a letter to Supreme Judicial Council members about attempts to “pressure judges through the abduction and torture of their relatives, as well as secret surveillance inside their homes.”
Later, in a letter to IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq about the violation of his family’s personal data, Justice Babar Sattar noted that while hearing the audio leaks case, he served notifications on the chiefs of intelligence and investigation agencies, as well as the relevant ministries.
During the case’s hearing, he got messages on behalf of high security authorities begging him to ‘back off’ from comprehensive inspection of the existence and style of surveillance, according to his letter.
