Petition seeking accountability of judges, generals through parliament rejected

The Supreme Court on Wednesday dismissed a petition that sought accountability of judges and army generals through Parliament, saying it cannot be entertained under Order XVII, Rule 5 of the Supreme Court Rules, 1980. The petition also called for making the words 'Sadiq' (truthful) and 'Ameen' (trustworthy) part of the code of conduct of judges.
Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar heard the appeal filed by Watan Party through its counsel Barrister Zafarullah, in his chamber after the registrar's office raised objections on the petition. The registrar office had stated that the petition was based on mala fide intentions and it cannot be entertained under Order XVII, Rule 5 of the Supreme Court Rules 1980.
The Chief Justice rejected the petition, sustaining the objections raised by the apex court's registrar. In the petition, the Watan Party had prayed the apex court that oaths taken by judges of the Supreme Court and high courts may include the words 'Sadiq' and 'Ameen,' and 'Sadiq' and 'Ameen' may be made part of the code of conduct of the judges.
"The apex court may not take over the jurisdiction of the Parliament or overlap jurisdiction which challenges stability of democracy; all accountability of higher judiciary be conducted by a parliamentary committee since the Supreme Court itself has failed to conduct its own accountability; and that the apex court and the military generals may surrender their accountability to public through the Parliament," it added.