Govt files references with SJC against two high court

The federal government on Wednesday filed references with the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) against two high court judges and one Supreme Court judge for owning properties abroad.

According to reports, the three judges own properties abroad but did not mention them in their wealth statements.

The SJC is the only constitutional authority mandated by Article 209 of the Constitution of Pakistan to conduct inquiries into allegations of incapacity or misconduct against a judge of the Supreme Court or of a high court.

It comprises Chief Justice of Pakistan as Chairman, two most senior judges of the Supreme Court and two most senior judges of the High Courts as members.

Two judges in Pakistan's history have been removed from their post.

Last year, Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui was removed from the post of Islamabad High Court judge in the light of a recommendation by the SJC over his controversial speech before the District Bar Association, Rawalpindi on 21 July 2018.

In 1973, Lahore High Court Judge Justice Shaukat Ali was removed on the charges of misconduct.