Justice Mazahar Naqvi resigns as SC judge

In the latest development on Wednesday, Justice Mazahar Naqvi has resigned as the Supreme Court of Pakistan Judge.

Justice Sayyed Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi, who was facing complaints of misconduct, said that it was no longer possible for him to continue due to circumstances which were “a matter of public knowledge”.

In his resignation letter addressed to President Arif Alvi, Justice Naqvi said, “It was an honour to be appointed and to serve as a Judge first of the Lahore High Court, Lahore and then as the Supreme Court of Pakistan”

“In the circumstances which are a matter of public knowledge and to some extent public record, it is no longer possible for me to continue to serve as a Judge of the Supreme Court of Pakistan. Considerations of due process also compel so,” it added.

“I, therefore. effective today resign as a Judge of the Supreme Court of Pakistan,” the judge said in a resignation letter sent to President Arif Alvi.

The development comes a day after the Supreme Court declined to halt the proceedings being conducted by the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) against Justice Naqvi with the ruling that without hearing the case on merits, a stay cannot be granted.

Supreme Judicial Council, the forum that inquired into the conduct of judges, directed Justice Naqvi to submit a reply to the complaints lodged against him.

SJC had issued a show cause notice to Justice Naqvi last year amid complaints alleging bench manipulation and financial misconduct.