The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Friday restored Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui as a justice of the Islamabad High Court, albeit technically, reversing an earlier judgement of the court.

A five-member larger bench headed by Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa and comprising Justice Aminuddin, Justice Jamal Mandokhel, Justice Hasan Rizvi and Justice Irfan Sadat had completed the hearing on petitions filed by Shaukat Siddiqui on January 23, 2024.

On Friday, the apex court released its 23-page judgement ruling in favour of Shaukat Siddiqui.

The top court declared null and void the Supreme Judicial Council’s recommendation for the removal of Justice Siddiqui.

Justice Siddiqui attained the age of superannuation while seeking justice for himself.

The Supreme Court noted that he was 62 years old now and could not be reinstated as a high court judge.

However, since the judgment leading to his removal has been reversed he will be considered to have retired as a high court judge and will be entitled to all the benefits.

Background

Justice Siddiqui was removed from his position has IHC judge on October 11, 2018 after accusing the then ISI officers of meddling into judicial affairs.

He had made the allegations on July 21, 2018 in a speech to the Rawalpindi Bar.

The Supreme Court approved his removal on recommendation from the Supreme Judicial Council, the top legal body that looks into the conduct of judges.

Then-President Alvi dismissed Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui on the recommendation of the then-prime minister, Imran Khan. The presidential order will also be reversed now.