Judges’ conduct can’t be debated in parliament: SC

The Supreme Court (SC) on Tuesday refused to provide audit report details to the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), saying the Parliament cannot review judges' conduct. The court, in its letter, told the committee that only the president can decide upon the court's consultative ambit. Judges' conduct also covers judiciary's administrative and financial matters, it added. The PAC, during the chairmanship of Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, had sent a letter to the SC asking for the audit report. The NA body, under the instructions of present Chairman Nadeem Afzal Chan made the letter public it received recently that had been issued by the SC's Full Court. The letter also stated that according to various constitutional provisions the PAC cannot summon any official of the superior judiciary including the registrar. “If the committee is interested in a formal court order, it should approach the president.” The letter referred to Article 68 which said: "No discussion shall take place in [Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament)] with respect to the conduct of any judge of the Supreme Court or of a High Court in the discharge of his duties".

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