Supreme Court Orders Arrest of Murder Accused, Critiques Political Instability
"People no longer trust the institutions," Justice Mandokhel said.
Islamabad: The Supreme Court of Pakistan has ordered the arrest of murder suspect Ishaq and directed authorities to hand him over to jail officials after the accused’s bail petition was rejected. During the hearing of the case, the judges expressed serious concerns about the state of political affairs in the country, pointing to growing instability and a lack of faith in state institutions.
A three-member bench, headed by Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhel, heard the bail petition of Ishaq, who is accused of murder. During the proceedings, Justice Athar Minallah remarked that the case had been pending in the Supreme Court since 2017. He noted that the state is more focused on overthrowing and installing governments, with all institutions targeting political opponents instead of addressing urgent matters of national concern.
Justice Mandokhel criticized the country’s political environment, stating, “What can be said about the state? Three prime ministers have been killed, and there’s still no progress in their cases. A senior judge was killed in Balochistan, and nothing is known about it. The real issue is that there is no desire to act.” He further emphasized that the police investigations in Sindh and Punjab are subpar compared to other provinces, suggesting that political interference is hampering effective law enforcement.
Justice Minallah added, “If the constitution were followed, such conditions would not exist.” He stressed that, 40 years after the assassination of a former prime minister, only recently was there an acknowledgment of the crime. “What could be a bigger crime than the murder of a prime minister? Those responsible should have been held accountable,” he stated.
Justice Malik Shehzad also remarked on the unsettling situation, saying, “In a country where the prime minister’s situation is so uncertain—one day in the Prime Minister’s House, the next in jail—how can the common man expect justice?” He emphasized the unpredictability and lack of stability at the highest levels of government.
The court’s remarks highlighted the public’s growing disillusionment with political institutions and the justice system. “People no longer trust the institutions; they want the Supreme Court to handle everything,” Justice Mandokhel added.
Read More: Supreme Court Highlights Delays and Shortcomings in Criminal Justice System
Following the hearing, the Supreme Court ordered the police to arrest Ishaq, who had previously fled after obtaining bail, and send him to jail. The case has once again brought attention to the larger issues of governance, the rule of law, and the political instability that continues to affect the country.
