The Supreme Court has set aside the dismissal of Islamabad High Court’s Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui and acknowledged that the judge was not given a chance to defend his allegations. Declaring the dismissal null and void, the court ruled that Justice Shaukat Siddiqui will be considered a retired judge now.
The Supreme Court also annulled the recommendation of the Supreme Judicial Council against Justice Siddiqui, while the notification of his dismissal was declared invalid. “Unfortunately, due to the delay in the Supreme Court decision, Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui has reached the age of superannuation,” the verdict stated.
It further said that Justice Siddiqui could not be reinstated as a judge, and should be considered a retired judge. Justice Siddiqui is eligible for all privileges and pensions of a retired judge, the court noted, adding that a judge could be suspended over misconduct only after granting them a chance for a fair trial. “Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui was not allowed to prove his allegations. He was dismissed over mere allegations,” the Supreme Court ruled.
