SC annuls presidential reference against Justice Qazi Isa

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court today (Friday) has annulled the presidential reference against Justice Qazi Isa in the Supreme Judicial Council.

The short verdict was announced by Justice Umar Ata Bandial, leading the 10-judge full court bench hearing the case. A detailed verdict will be announced later.

Justice Bandial had maintained that the apex court will examine whether the case should be completely quashed. He said, “It is not an easy case. We will act strictly in accordance with the law.”

The court announced the judgment hours after it was reserved by the bench during the hearing held in the morning.

Justice Isa’s counsel Munir A. Malik had said that his client was being hounded due to his judgment in the Faizabad dharna case where he had criticised the role of intelligence agencies.

A day earlier, Justice Isa’s wife recorded her statement before the court via video link. She submitted the money trail of her three properties in the United Kingdom and said that all the money was transferred from Pakistan to the UK through her two foreign accounts.

Earlier in May 2019, the government filed a reference against Justice Isa. The reference alleged that he acquired three properties in London on lease in the name of his wife and children between 2011 and 2015, but did not disclose them in his wealth returns.

In this regard, Justice Isa said that he is not a beneficial owner of the flats— neither directly or indirectly.