Judges keeping their cool despite Sharif broadsides

In a change from past years, the superior judiciary in Pakistan has shown restraint at the onslaught from the ruling Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N), especially its leader and former prime minister Nawaz Sharif.After the restoration of former chief justice Iftikhar Chaudhry, from March 2009 to December 2013 the superior judiciary was quite sensitive with regard to any criticism.A number of contempt notices were issued to senior politicians, journalists, and even PCO (Provisions Constituional Order) judges, over the charges of scandalising and ridiculing the judiciary.During this period, criticism of the bench was a no-go area.Since Chaudhry’s retirement, however, the superior judiciary has shown restraint by issuing significantly fewer contempt notices.This year the Supreme Court has only issued contempt notices to PML-N senator Nihal Hashmi, the owner of a media house, and one reporter.After the issuance of the first Panama Papers verdict on April 20, the PML-N started targeting the Supreme Court bench and the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) looking into corruption allegations against the Sharif family.This criticism intensified after the July 28 verdict disqualifying Nawaz Sharif from public office.Later, Sharif went on a rally across Punjab, wherein he severely criticised judges for disqualifying him based off a misdeclaration in his nomination papers.With the passage of time, his criticism of the judiciary has increased.Recently, Sharif announced that he would start a movement to improve the judicial system.Even so, he managed to get some relief from the Supreme Court when it rejected the National Accountability Bureau (NAB)’s appeal for the restoration of the Rs1.2bn Hudaibya paper mills reference against the Sharifs.Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) vice-chairman Ahsan Bhoon has expressed surprise over the Supreme Court’s continuing restraint with regard to Sharif’s speeches.He told The Express Tribune that it appears as if contempt charges appear to be reserved for Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leaders.The PBC vice-chairman said that he believes Sharif has gotten relief from the judiciary on numerous occasions since 1993, adding that even decisions during Chaudhry’s tenure went in his favour.Former Supreme Court Bar Association (SNCA) president Kamran Murtaza, who was very critical of the Supreme Court’s Panama judgment, has also expressed serious concern over the language used by Sharif against the judiciary.“Nawaz’s unfair criticism is weakening the supremacy of civilian institutions in the country,” he said.Yasin Azad, another former SCBA president, also stated that although he has serious objections to the Panama ruling, criticism should be fair.Meanwhile, a senior PML-N leader admitted that the party should change its policy of targeting judges.He claims that Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif is not willing to endorse an anti-judiciary campaign.Another PML-N leader believes that Panamagate verdict was issued against Sharif family due to poor legal strategy.Even a member of Sharif’s legal team said that his client’s best chance to have resolved the Panama issue was in parliament.The team member states that there was no need to file so many numbers of documents at the start of Panama proceedings.Due to the submission of fake documents, the case became weak,  he adds.He also admits that the Sharif family has unnecessary targeted the three judges who chose not to disqualify him and formed a JIT to investigate further.“There was no need to make the Whatsapp call an issue at that time. They did not acknowledge that three judges did not endorse the two senior members Justice Asif Saeed Khosa and Justice Gulzar Ahmad of the larger bench’s judgment to disqualify Nawaz on his false statement,” he further stated.