ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) has decided to proceed further on three complaints against judges while approving amendments to the judicial code of conduct.
According to a statement issued after the SJC meeting chaired by leadership of Chief Justice Yahya Afridi, the council reviewed complaints filed under Article 209 of the Constitution. Of the total of 74 complaints, 70 were dismissed, three were approved for further action, and one was deferred.
The statement said that in the first phase, 67 complaints were examined — 65 were disposed of, one was deferred, and one complaint was marked for further proceedings.
In the second phase, seven additional complaints were reviewed after the reconstitution of the council. Justice Sarfraz Dogar recused himself from these cases and was replaced by Peshawar High Court Chief Justice SM Atiq Shah. Out of these seven, five complaints were dismissed while two were approved for further action.
The council also approved amendments to the judges’ “code of conduct”, stating that a judge should not hear any case involving a party or lawyer with whom they have a personal relationship. Judges have been directed to avoid engaging in public controversies or expressing opinions on political or legal issues in public forums, whether verbally or in writing.
The revised code also bars judges from interacting with the media on subjects that may trigger public debate or affect institutional discipline. If a judge faces a public allegation, they must notify a five-member Supreme Court committee led by the chief justice of Pakistan.
The committee, comprising the four senior-most judges of the Supreme Court, will respond institutionally through the Registrar’s Office. Judges have also been instructed to refrain from litigation or speculative financial dealings and may only accept minor gifts from close relatives or intimate friends.
The code further states that no member of the bar may invite a judge to a private meal, and any conference invitation must be routed through the respective Chief Justice.
If any attempt is made to influence a High Court judge, they must inform the relevant Chief Justice of their High Court, the Chief Justice of Pakistan, and four senior Supreme Court judges in writing. Similarly, any attempt to influence a Supreme Court judge must be reported to the Chief Justice and senior judges, with the committee required to decide the matter within 15 days.