A full court reference was held to celebrate retired Supreme Court judge Justice Sardar Tariq Masood, during which Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa praised the jurist’s major contributions and expressed gratitude for his service to the judiciary.
CJP Isa emphasized Justice Masood’s potential as chief justice of the Lahore High Court, stating that the province suffered as a result of his absence. However, he noted that the Supreme Court profited greatly from Justice Masood’s attendance.
“Because of just one order of the Lahore High Court, the general elections could have been derailed again,” the CJP underlined, adding that the supreme court ruled against it after hearing arguments after midnight.
Addressing concerns voiced about Justice Masood’s role in the military courts case, the CJP declared them invalid, reaffirming Justice Masood’s integrity and devotion to the rule of law.
In his speech, Justice Sardar Tariq Masood underlined the importance of judicial independence, claiming that it goes beyond mere separation from the administration. He emphasized the need of judges remaining brave in the face of overwhelming influences, warning against sacrificing judicial independence in order to obtain the approval of important groups.
The complete court reference included comments by Pakistan’s Attorney General, Mansoor Usman Awan, as well as the presidents of the Pakistan Bar Council and the Supreme Court Bar Association. They praised Justice Masood’s dedication and service to the judiciary and expressed gratitude for his essential contributions.
