On Wednesday, Justice Sayyed Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi of the Supreme Court, facing misconduct allegations, tendered his resignation citing ongoing proceedings against him as a reason.
“It was an honor 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,” the top court judge stated in his resignation sent to President Arif Alvi.
On Tuesday, the apex court declined to halt the proceedings being conducted by the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) against the SC judge, ruling that without hearing the case on merits, a stay cannot be granted.
A three-member bench of the apex court, headed by Justice Amin-ud-Din Khan and comprising Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail and Justice Musrat Hilali, heard the petition of Justice Mazahar, challenging the SJC proceedings as well as the show cause notice issued to him on the charge of misconduct.