President Asif Ali Zardari has officially removed Sayyed Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi from his position as a judge of the Supreme Court based on the recommendations of the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC). The decision, effective from January 10, 2024, was announced via a notification from the Ministry of Law and Justice.
The removal comes after several references were filed against Mr. Naqvi in connection with an alleged audio leak. Initially contesting the charges, Naqvi later resigned in January amid escalating proceedings before the SJC. Despite show-cause notices, he boycotted the proceedings.
A significant ruling by a five-judge bench of the Supreme Court asserted that SJC proceedings can continue against a judge even after resignation or retirement. Following this, the SJC, chaired by CJP Qazi Faez Isa, found Naqvi guilty of misconduct on March 9 and recommended his removal from office, stripping him of the ‘justice’ title.
The SJC’s decision involved prominent members, including justices from the Supreme Court and the Lahore High Court. Naqvi, initially elevated to the Lahore High Court in 2010, was later appointed as a Supreme Court judge in March 2020.
