Former Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Tassaduq Hussain Jillani has withdrawn from a one-man inquiry commission tasked with probing allegations of executive and intelligence agencies’ interference in judicial affairs. The Supreme Court initiated suo motu notice on the matter.
In a letter addressed to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Jillani cited concerns about jurisdictional propriety, as the matter may fall within the purview of the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) or the Supreme Court itself.
Appointed by the federal cabinet last week, Jillani expressed gratitude for the confidence placed in him but noted that the Terms of Reference (ToRs) for the inquiry were not directly relevant to the subject matter outlined in the letter from six Islamabad High Court judges.
Jillani acknowledged the request for “institutional consultation” suggested in the letter but highlighted the role of the Chief Justice of Pakistan in addressing such issues at the institutional level. Consequently, he recused himself from the commission.