Supreme Judicial Council Reviews 74 Complaints Against Judges — Approves Amendments to Judicial Code of Conduct

ISLAMABAD —M.Saleem jutt 

Pakistan’s Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) has reviewed a total of 74 complaints filed against judges under Article 209 of the Constitution, dismissing 70 of them, approving further proceedings in three, and deferring one case, according to an official statement issued after the Council’s meeting.

During the first phase of the session, the Council examined 67 complaints — dismissing 65, deferring one, and allowing one to proceed. In the second phase, seven additional complaints were reviewed. Justice Sarfraz Dogar recused himself from these proceedings, and Chief Justice of Peshawar High Court, Justice S.M. Atiq Shah, was included in his place. Out of these, five complaints were dismissed while two were approved for further action.

The statement added that the Council also approved significant amendments to the Judges’ Code of Conduct, introducing clearer ethical and professional standards for the judiciary.

According to the revised code:

A judge must not hear a case where there is any personal or professional connection with a party or lawyer involved.

Judges must refrain from participating in or commenting on public or political controversies, either verbally or in writing.

No judge should engage with the media on matters that could trigger public debate or affect institutional discipline.

If a judge faces public allegations, they must inform a five-member Supreme Court committee headed by the Chief Justice of Pakistan, which will respond institutionally through the Registrar.

The updated code further states that:

A judge should avoid litigation personally or through others as much as possible.

Judges are barred from engaging in commercial, industrial, or speculative financial dealings.

Only minor gifts from close relatives or intimate friends may be accepted.

Members of the bar are prohibited from inviting judges to private dinners.

If any attempt is made to influence a judge, they must report the matter in writing to the Chief Justice of Pakistan and the four senior-most judges. The committee will issue a decision within 15 days.

Legal experts view this as a major step toward strengthening transparency, discipline, and institutional accountability within Pakistan’s judiciary.