SC bench hearing presidential reference against Justice Isa dissolved

• Justice Umar Bandial said the existing bench is being dissolved due to unavailability of Justice Mazhar Alam.
• Attorney general says Justice Isa is the original owner of three properties in UK and is reluctant to reveal sources of his income used to purchase the properties.
• Justice Isa maintained that the properties belonged to his children.

(Karachi) Supreme Court’s 10-member bench hearing the presidential reference against Justice Qazi Faiz Isa has been dissolved on Monday.

The matter has been forwarded to Chief Justice of Pakistan Asif Saeed Khosa for formation of a new bench to hear the case.

A few days ago, Attorney General Anwar Mansoor Khan had submitted a response in a presidential reference filed against Justice Isa.

On Monday, Justice Umar Atta Bandial stated that the existing bench was being dissolved due to unavailability of Justice Mazhar Alam.

During the hearing, petitioner’s advocate maintained that all the judges should be included in the full bench if it needs to be formed.

The attorney general told the court that the three properties in Britain were owned by Justice Isa and he was reluctant to reveal the sources of his income used to purchase the properties.

He added the presidential reference postulated ‘benami’ nature of the properties abroad which were concealed and not disclosed as required by the law.

He said the wife and children of the petitioner had no independent source of income and were not in a position to provide funds necessary for the purchase of three properties when they were bought.

The court was informed that the only conclusion which could be drawn was that the said properties were ‘benami’ in nature and the petitioner judge was the ostensible owner of these properties.

Earlier in May, the president filed a reference against Justice Isa for not disclosing his income-tax returns, wealth statements and three properties in the UK. Justice Isa maintained, however, that the properties belonged to his children.

The apex court judge not only challenged the reference but also wrote at least three letters to the president, seeking clarity in the matter.