ISLAMABAD: The Pak­istan Bar Council (PBC) on Tuesday condemned a reference filed against Justice Sardar Tariq Masood of the Supreme Court, arguing that the move was apparently a tactic to protect another apex court judge whose reference is being adjudicated by Justice Masood.

The statement came days after a complaint was lodged in the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) aga­inst Justice Masood, seeking an inquiry into his alleged financial misconduct and requesting disciplinary action.

Justice Masood is himself a member of the SJC and was appointed in May to give his opinion on several complaints moved against another SC judge, Justice Sayyed Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi.

“It seems that the instant complaint has been filed with mala fide intention in consequence of the matter as CJP already referred an earlier complaint against Justice Naqvi to Justice Masood for a preliminary inquiry... and it was the tactic being used to put pressure on him and to suppress him.”

Published in Dawn, August 16th, 2023