Faisal Vawda flays judges over ‘interference’ allegations

Former PTI leader Senator Faisal Vawda has criticised the Islamabad High Court (IHC) judges for their letter accusing the intelligence agencies of meddling in judicial affairs.

Addressing a news conference at the National Press Club in Islamabad on Wednesday, Vawda said: "Stop targeting the institutions, enough is enough. If there is any interference by institutions then provide evidence and we will stand together."

Vawda's comments come after he filed a request with the IHC registrar calling for disclosure of the correspondence between then IHC chief justice Athar Minallah and IHC's Justice Babar Sattar about the latter's green card. The senator's letter referred to the social media campaign against Justice Sattar accusing him of holding a US nationality and having a business interest in a private school in the country. 

Vawda said that he wrote a letter to the IHC in April but he hasn't received a reply yet. "We should get that record as it has been 15 days," he said, adding "A press release was issued that said Justice Sattar is Pakistani but I didn't get a reply. CJP Qazi Faez Isa, under Article 19, ordered that every Pakistani can get an answer," he said. 

He said that not getting an answer is making people suspicious, adding that the judges should be transparent and away from accusations. 

Vawda reiterated that the names of agencies were being mentioned again and again. "Give evidence and we will stand beside you," he added. "Put a ban on social media. Do it for the whole Pakistan and not for your yourself. Make laws for social media but make them for everyone," said the senator. 

Vawda also demanded that the Supreme Judicial Council would have to interfere in this matter.