Notification of Justice Siddiqui’s sacking withdrawn

The Ministry of Law has withdrawn the notification of the sacking of former judge of Islamabad High Court Justice Shaukat Siddiqui.

A 5-member bench of the Supreme Court headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa had completed the hearing on the constitutional petitions of Shaukat Siddiqui on January 23, 2024, and the decision was pronounced on March 22, 2024. The court had annulled the Supreme Judicial Council’s decision to dismiss Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui.

In the decision of the Supreme Court, it was said that the dismissal of Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui by the Supreme Judicial Council is declared illegal, while the president’s notification of his dismissal, on October 11, 2018, on the recommendation of the then prime minister is also declared null and void.

It has been said in the court decision that Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui cannot be reinstated and he should be considered as a retired judge. He will be entitled as a retired judge of Islamabad High Court to all benefits and pension.

On May 3, President Asif Ali Zardari had approved to issue retirement notification of Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui. It was also approved to withdraw the notification dated 11 October 2018 to remove Justice Shaukat Siddiqui from the post of judge.

The president approved the proposals of the Ministry of Law and Justice on the advice of the prime minister.

The president approved the issuance of the notification in the light of the Supreme Court’s decision. The notification will be applicable from the date of retirement of Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui on June 30, 2021.