Police officers stand guard in front of the Supreme Court building in Islamabad. -File Photo

ISLAMABAD The Supreme Court has banned public access to case records, with the exception of court judgments and orders, according to the SC circular.

The SC directions come after reports of the intelligence bureau submitting secret documents by mistake during a court proceeding.

The order will prevent public access to court records which was earlier accessible by following ordinary procedures.

Legal experts say that the Supreme Court ban will have consequences for freedom of information in Pakistan.   

Court record is a public record and access to it cannot be denied to the people, former president SCBA Justice (retd) Tariq Mehmood 

The SC circular also stated that non-compliance of the direction, will result in strict disciplinary action against the Supreme Court staff.