Supreme Judicial Council of Pakistan

The Supreme Judicial Council of Pakistan is a body of judges empowered under of the constitution of Pakistan to hear cases of misconduct against judges.

Composition

The composition of the Council is set out in the constitution as:

• The Chief Justice
• The two next most senior judges of the Supreme Court of Pakistan
• The two most senior Chief Justices of the provincial High Courts

Where the council is investigating a member of the council he is replaced by the next most senior judge.

Powers

No judge in Pakistan may be dismissed except by the Supreme Judicial Council. The Council may start proceedings against a judge either by its own initiative or by reference from the President of Pakistan.

If the Council concludes that the judge is guilty of misconduct and should be removed from office they can recommend this to the President.

Famous cases

In 2007, President Pervez Musharraf suspended Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry and referred him to the Council on charges of corruption. However, Chaudhry contested the ability of the Council to form without the Chief Justice himself present, and the Council hearing was suspended by the Supreme Court. Later Council's Verdict was that Council was not valid without Chief Justice as according to Constitution of Pakistan Supreme Judicial Council can not be Completed, Validated, or Proceed without "de jure" Chief Justice, No matter whoever may be "de facto" or "acting Chief Justice" is and...
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