ISLAMABAD: Two judges — Justice Babar Sattar and Justice Sardar Ejaz Ishaq Khan — wrote letters to Chief Justice Sardar Mohammad Sarfraz Dogar before his maiden full court meeting after taking over as the regular chief justice of the Islamabad High Court (IHC).

As the new judicial year commenced in the IHC on Tuesday, Justice Dogar has called a full court session for 2pm today (Wednesday) and directed all judges of the IHC to ensure their attendance.

Although the detailed agenda has not been made public, such meetings are generally convened at the start of the judicial year to review court’s performance, discuss administrative affairs, and set priorities for the coming months.

However, the letters written by two judges a day before the full court meeting stunned their colleagues as well as IHC officials, as sources privy to the development said that the judges sought to revise the agenda of the full court.

Letter highlights concerns over deteriorating state of court administration; criticises lack of effective oversight on lower courts

In his letter, Justice Babar Sattar raised grave concerns regarding the deteriorating state of the court’s administration, alleging systemic violations of constitutional norms, judicial independence, and institutional integrity.

The letter criticised the lack of effective oversight over lower courts, which, he argued, has led to instability and inefficiency within the district judiciary. Justice Sattar alleged that case assignments and bench formations are being manipulated to sideline senior judges, including the Senior Puisne Judge, in favour of recently transferred or additional judges.

The letter cited instances of administrative overreach, including unauthorised case transfers, refusal to issue cause lists per judicial orders, and abrupt changes to judges’ dockets aimed at rendering them “dysfunctional.” Justice Sattar accused the Chief Justice of violating IHC rules and institutional norms by excluding senior judges from key administrative committees, thereby undermining the court’s collegial character.

The letter condemned new circulars requiring judges to seek permission from the Chief Justice for international travel, as well as proposed rules that would centralise administrative powers—a move described as transforming the office into a “monocracy.”

The letter concluded with a plea for introspection and corrective action, emphasising that without honest acknowledgment of failings, the institution cannot be repaired.

Published in Dawn, September 3rd, 2025