A curative review petition filed by the previous government of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) against Supreme Court Judge Justice Qazi Faez Isa was officially withdrawn on Friday.
Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial admitted the federal government’s plea, leading to the disposal of the petition based on withdrawal.
The CJP had earlier reserved the verdict on the federal government’s plea back in April this year. The withdrawal of the petition was formally announced in the verdict issued today (Friday).
The move came after the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM)-led government made a request to the apex court for the withdrawal of the curative review petition filed against Justice Isa.
President Dr. Arif Alvi approved the withdrawal of the petition and Civil Miscellaneous Application against Justice Isa based on the advice of Prime Minister Shehbaz.
In 2021, the then PTI filed a curative review petition against the majority decision of the review petitions of Justice Isa, passed on April 26, 2021.
However, the registrar of the Supreme Court raised objections to the petition, stating that once a review petition is decided, it cannot be further reviewed.
The incumbent Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) government criticized the previous PTI-led regime’s actions, dubbing it an act of state-led vengeance.
The petition presented by the government sought the withdrawal of the case, emphasizing the need for justice in the matter. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in a tweet, announced the government’s decision to call off the review against Justice Isa.
PM Shehbaz stated, “On my direction, the government has decided to withdraw the Curative Review Petition against senior most Judge of the Supreme Court, Justice Qazi Faez Isa.” He further alleged that the curative review was motivated by ill will to “harass and intimidate” Justice Isa, allegedly at the behest of his predecessor, Imran Khan.
