By Asif Naveed
ISLAMABAD; The Islamabad High Court’s (IHC) Justice Khadim Hussain Soomro on Tuesday recused himself from hearing the case challenging the appointment of Justice Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri, resulting in the adjournment of proceedings without any arguments.
A two-member bench comprising Chief Justice Sarfraz Dogar and Justice Soomro had taken up a miscellaneous application filed by the Islamabad Bar Association (IBA), which sought to become a party to the case.
However, during the hearing, Justice Soomro withdrew from the proceedings, leading to the dissolution of the bench and adjournment of the hearing without further arguments.
In its application, the IBA stated that the fair and transparent adjudication of the ongoing writ petition would not be possible without hearing the bar’s perspective, given that the matter is of “fundamental importance” to the legal community and the rule of law.
The lawyers’ body argued that, under its Memorandum of Association (2016), it is responsible for upholding the rule of law, ensuring judicial independence, and protecting civil liberties. It stressed that the bar has historically played a crucial role in defending constitutional supremacy and should therefore be heard in the case.
The application further highlighted the bar’s functions, which include assisting its members in their professional duties, protecting their interests, and maintaining high standards of integrity and ethics.
“The Islamabad Bar stands firm in defending the superior judiciary from any internal or external challenges and remains committed to upholding the Constitution,” the plea concluded.
