Islamabad, December 20, 2024: In a Supreme Court hearing on the bail plea of murder suspect Ishaq, the judges voiced strong concerns about the state of governance, institutional accountability, and the justice system in Pakistan. Justice Athar Minallah criticized the government’s focus on political engineering, Justice Jamal Mandokhail lamented the lack of accountability for high-profile assassinations, and Justice Malik Shahzad highlighted the precarious treatment of prime ministers, reflecting broader issues of systemic instability.
Justice Athar Minallah remarked that the case had been pending since 2017, saying, “The state is preoccupied with toppling and forming governments, while institutions remain fixated on targeting political opponents.” He added, “If the Constitution were upheld, such circumstances would not arise. Institutions reflect the truthfulness of our society. It took 40 years for the assassination of an elected prime minister to be acknowledged. What could be a graver crime than the murder of a prime minister? Someone should have been held accountable and punished.”
Justice Jamal Mandokhail echoed these concerns, stating, “What can one say about the state? Three prime ministers have been assassinated, yet no progress has been made in their cases. Even a senior-most judge was killed in Balochistan, and nothing came of it.” He criticized the lack of resolve to address these issues, adding, “Compared to other provinces, the quality of police investigations in Sindh and Punjab is deplorable. As long as state institutions remain engrossed in political engineering, the situation will not improve.” Justice Mandokhail also pointed to public mistrust in institutions, noting, “People expect the Supreme Court to handle all matters.”
Justice Malik Shahzad highlighted the fragile position of prime ministers in Pakistan, observing, “In a country where a prime minister can find themselves in the prime minister’s house one day and in prison the next, what hope is there for the common citizen?” He further remarked, “No one knows how long anyone will remain prime minister.”
The Supreme Court concluded the hearing by directing the police to arrest the accused, Ishaq, and hand him over to prison authorities. Ishaq had previously absconded after securing bail.
