Judicial exodus sparks concerns over fairness in upcoming Pakistani elections

A second judge has tendered resignation from Pakistan’s Supreme Court, deepening worries about a growing divide within the judiciary as the nation approaches general elections on February 8.

The resignation of Judges Ijaz Ul Ahsan and Muhammad Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi, both known for rulings perceived as unfavorable to political heavyweight Nawaz Sharif, raises questions about the judiciary’s independence and its impact on the electoral process.

Campaigning for the upcoming elections has been slow to kick off, with political parties and politicians entangled in a multitude of court cases challenging their eligibility and election symbols. Rights groups have expressed concerns, alleging that the elections lack credibility, with accusations of military interference casting a shadow over the electoral process.

While both judges, Ahsan and Naqvi, refrained from providing reasons for their resignations, the move has sparked alarm among legal experts.

Anwar Mansoor Khan, a former attorney general and high court judge, expressed his concern, calling it a “very bad omen for Pakistan’s judiciary,” citing political pressure as a motivating factor.

Lawyer Faisal Sidiqqi went further, claiming, “A purge of judges is taking place at the Supreme Court,” and warning that dissenting judicial voices may be silenced, creating an environment of uncertainty.

Ahsan’s resignation was accepted by President Arif Alvi a day after Naqvi’s departure. Naqvi, who was facing allegations of misconduct, had his appeal for an investigation rejected by the Supreme Judicial Council earlier in the week.

The political landscape is heavily influenced by the judiciary, particularly in the case of Nawaz Sharif, considered the election frontrunner due to support from the military. Sharif, a three-time premier, has faced multiple rulings from Ahsan, including a lifetime ban on politics that was overturned recently.

The dynamics of the judiciary’s role in shaping the political arena have led to speculation about the fairness of the upcoming elections.

The opposition leader, Imran Khan, who is barred from contesting the polls over a graft conviction and faces imprisonment for alleged leaks of state secrets, accuses the military establishment of concocting cases against him to prevent his return to power.

Khan’s party is engaged in a court battle over the use of the election symbol—a cricket bat, considered crucial in a country where the adult literacy rate is just 58 percent, according to World Bank data.

The elections, already delayed from November, come at a critical time for Pakistan, grappling with two years of overlapping political, economic, and security crises.

Rising militancy, economic instability, and a cost-of-living crisis have added to the challenges facing the nation. Nawaz Sharif’s return from exile earlier this year, accompanied by the dissolution of his convictions in the courts, has fueled speculation that he is now the favored candidate of the military brass.