Pak Army asks SC to probe allegations against ISI

In the wake of allegations levelled against the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) by an Islamabad High Court (IHC) Justice, the Pakistan Army has asked the Supreme Court to probe the veracity of the same and take action accordingly.

"An honourable judge of Islamabad High Court of Pakistan has levelled serious allegations against state institutions including honourable judiciary and the premier state intelligence agency," read a statement of the Inter-Services Public Relations which was uploaded on their website on Sunday.

"In order to safeguard the sanctity and credibility of the state institutions, Honourable Supreme Court of Pakistan has been requested to initiate appropriate process to ascertain the veracity of the allegations and take actions accordingly," the statement added.

Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui had on Saturday alleged that the ISI had approached the IHC to ensure that former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, his daughter Maryam Nawaz and son-in-law Captain (retd) Safdar would remain in prison until the July 25 elections, reported by The Express Tribune.

He also alleged that judges in other courts had submitted to the pressure from the ISI, especially in the case against the Sharifs.

"I was told that if I pass judgments on their directives then the references against me will be withdrawn. I was also assured that I will be made the chief justice of Pakistan in September," Siddiqui was quoted by the Dawn as saying.

Reacting to Siddiqui's comments, legal experts say that the IHC justice may be faced with contempt charges and may be suspended from carrying out judicial responsibilities, reported The Express Tribune.

Justice Siddiqui is currently facing a misconduct reference.

Earlier, Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar had stated that he was deeply saddened by Siddiqui's comments and stressed that the judiciary was under no pressure.