President Zardari approves retirement notification for Justice Siddiqui

In response to the recent ruling by the Supreme Court of Pakistan, President Asif Ali Zardari has authorized the issuance of a retirement notification for former Islamabad High Court (IHC) judge Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui. The Supreme Court had declared the removal of Justice Siddiqui as illegal, directing that he be recognized as a retired judge. This decision was made by a five-member bench of the apex court, led by Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Fazi Isa, in a detailed 23-page judgment.

The retirement notification, approved by President Zardari, is set to take effect from June 30, 2021, which was the scheduled retirement date for Justice Siddiqui. The statement from the President’s Secretariat confirmed the approval, citing the Supreme Court's judgment as the basis for this action.

It is noteworthy that Justice Siddiqui was removed from his position as an IHC judge in October 2018 by then-president Arif Alvi, following a recommendation from the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC). However, the recent ruling by the CJP Isa-led bench highlighted that the SJC's actions against Justice Siddiqui were based on assumptions rather than factual considerations.

President Zardari's approval of the retirement notification under Article 195 of the Constitution also includes the withdrawal of the Law and Justice Division's previous notification, dated October 11, 2018, regarding Justice Siddiqui's removal from the IHC.

This decision, made in accordance with the Ministry of Law and Justice's proposals and the Prime Minister's advice, signifies a significant development in the legal proceedings surrounding Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui's status as a retired judge.

The resolution of this case underscores the importance of upholding legal principles and ensuring fair treatment in judicial matters. The retirement notification for Justice Siddiqui, following the Supreme Court's verdict, marks a crucial step towards rectifying past decisions and reaffirming the rule of law within the judicial system.