Supreme Judicial Council of Pakistan

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Pakistan

This article is part of the series: Politics and government of Pakistan

Constitution State President    Pervez Musharraf Federal government Prime Minister    Yousaf Raza Gillani Federal Cabinet Legislative Majlis-e-Shoora - Parliament Senate    Chairman of the Senate National Assembly    Speaker    Deputy Speaker Judiciary Supreme Judicial Council Supreme Court    Chief Justice Federal Shariat Court    Chief Justices Islamabad High Court Provincial High Courts District Courts

Political Parties Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal Muttahida Qaumi Movement Pakistan Muslim League (N) Pakistan Muslim League (Q) Pakistan Peoples Party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Minor Parties

Subdivisions Provincial Governors Balochistan N.W.F.P Punjab Sindh Capital Territory Tribal Areas Azad Kashmir Northern Areas

Local Government Districts Cities Union Councils

Issues Foreign relations

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The Supreme Judicial Council of Pakistan is a body of judges empowered under Article 209 of the constitution of Pakistan to hear cases of misconduct against judges.

[edit] Composition

The composition of the Council is set out in the constitution as:

• The Chief Justice
• The two next most senior judges of the Supreme Court of Pakistan
• The two most senior Chief Justices of the provincial High Courts

Where the council is investigating a member of the council he is replaced by the next most senior judge.

[edit] Powers

No judge in Pakistan may be dismissed except by the Supreme Judicial Council. The Council may start proceedings against a judge either by its own initiative or by reference from the President of Pakistan.

If the Council concludes that the judge is guilty of misconduct and should be removed from office they can recommend this to the President.

[edit] Famous cases

Further information: Iftikhar_Muhammad_Chaudhry#SJC_Hearings

In 2007, President Pervez Musharraf suspended Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry and referred him to the Council on charges of corruption. However, Chaudhry contested the ability of the Council to form without the Chief Justice himself present, and the Council hearing was suspended by the Supreme Court. The case is on-going.