Don’t vilify judges: Pakistan Supreme Court

ISLAMABAD - In a rare statement, the Supreme Court of Pakistan has warned against “unwarranted and uncalled for comments” on the court’s judgments, but welcomes fair comments in “temperate language” that would not impugn the integrity and impartiality of the judge.

“This court always welcomes healthy, constructive and fair comments on the merits of the decisions in good faith and in temperate language, without impugning the integrity or impartiality of the judge and expects that unwarranted and uncalled for comments would be avoided because judgments are based on law and the Constitution,” the Dawn quoted the Supreme Court office as saying in a statement.

The apex court was reacting to a controversial statement by Labour and Manpower Minister Syed Khursheed Shah. The statement was later withdrawn by the government’s information wing.

The minister reportedly accused the judiciary of overstepping its mandate and interfering in decision-making, citing verdicts on sugar prices and the promotion of civil servants.

The statement said: “The Supreme Court is following the Constitution and has played its due role assigned to it by the Constitution and law.”

“The court will play its role without fear or favour in the interest of establishing adherence to the Constitution and maintenance of rule of law in society.”