Islamabad HC judge raps secret agencies for interfering in state's affairs

Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui of the Islamabad High Court has expressed his displeasure over alleged interference of secret agencies in the state's affairs.

As per a report published in Daily Pakistan Global, Justice Siddiqui stated that secret agencies should focus more on Pakistan's defence.

While hearing the matter of missing persons, the Justice appealed to Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa for "barring his persons from intervention in the matters of other institutions," adding that Army Chief Bajwa should take cognisance of the upsetting situation prevailing in the country.

In addition, Justice Siddiqui further claimed that judges live in danger as their telephones are being tapped by the officials of the security agencies.

Addressing a representative of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) who appeared in the court, Justice Siddiqui said, "Your personnel try to form a court bench of their own wish and the army chief should be aware of the misdeeds committed by them".

"Enforced disappearance of citizens, businessmen, and other influential persons has become a routine in the capital city," he added.

Justice Siddiqui further ordered that the intervention of secret agencies in the affairs of the judiciary, executives and other departments should be restrained and warned the secret agencies should not cross the constitutional limits.

He added that such a situation would be disastrous for both the army and the state and demanded that a concept of state within the state should be eliminated.

According to the Daily Pakistan Global, the Islamabad High Court Judge has ordered to send a copy of the court ruling to Army Chief Bajwa, along with the ISI director general, secretary defence and Secretary Interior of Pakistan.

Highlighting the 'helpless' situation of police officials in the country, Justice Siddiqui observed that an officer who has no courage to speak the truth should not be a part of the police.