Powers can't be entrusted to anyone in presence of chief justice, remarks CJP in audio leaks case

ISLAMABAD (92 News) - Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial on Tuesday remarked that powers cannot be entrusted to anyone in the presence of the chief justice.

Hearing the petition against the audio leaks inquiry commission, he observed that it will have to be decided by the chief justice whether the judges are available for the commission or not. "The Executive should not interfere in the powers of the Supreme Court."

The attorney general, in the objection to the bench, contended that some members cannot hear the case under the code of conduct. "The judges should recuse themselves from the bench if there is clash of interests," he added.

CJP Umar Ata Bandial remarked that the allegation of partiality cannot be levelled against the only available forum. Justice Muneeb Akhtar observed that even the federal government does not know whether the audios are real or fake.

After hearing the arguments, the court reserved the verdict on the objections to the bench. Moreover, the court extended the stay order against the judicial commission investigating the audio leaks issue.