Only SJC, not government, can remove Justice Qazi Faez Isa: CJP

LONDON: Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Asif Saeed Khan Khosa on Sunday said the government does not hold the authority to remove Justice Qazi Faez Isa.

Speaking about a reference filed against Justice Isa during a programme organised by the Cambridge Union at the Cambridge University, Justice Khosa said the matter was solely the prerogative of the Supreme Judicial Council. The federal government does not have the authority to remove a Supreme Court judge, he said.

The chief justice said the people of Pakistan should have faith in their judges, adding that the matter was before the courts and that they would ensure justice in the matter.

Justice Khosa welcomed the step of establishing model courts in the country. He said that a defendant's family and other circumstances should be considered while penalizing a culprit. It is necessary for justice to take such circumstances into account, he said.

The chief justice added that it was not a fault of the judiciary if the system was not working towards providing justice to the people.