Pakistan court reshuffles harassment committee hours after formation

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) reshuffled the leadership of its workplace harassment committee on Monday, hours after it was constituted, deepening questions about internal tensions at one of Pakistan’s top courts.

A notification dated July 17, 2025, had appointed Justice Saman Riffat Imtiaz as the competent authority of the harassment committee with the approval of Chief Justice Sarfraz Dogar. Acting on that notification, Justice Imtiaz issued a circular earlier in the day, formally constituting a three-member panel.

The committee included Justice Sardar Ejaz Ishaq Khan, Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir, and Justice Imtiaz herself. It was tasked with reviewing complaints involving judges.

But by 8 p.m., reports emerged that Justice Imtiaz had been removed as the competent authority. The leadership was transferred to Justice Inaam Amin Minhas, also with the approval of Chief Justice Dogar. The abrupt reversal raised questions about whether the committee had been altered on the very day it was formed.

The reshuffle comes as the court faces heightened scrutiny. Prominent human rights lawyer Imaan Mazari filed misconduct and harassment complaints earlier today against Chief Justice Dogar following a heated exchange in court on September 11.

Mazari was representing activist Dr. Mahrang Baloch, leader of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee, in a petition to remove her name from the Exit Control List. She alleged that Justice Dogar subjected her to “sexist, discriminatory, hostile, threatening, intimidating and unreasonable behavior,” calling his remarks an “unprovoked tirade.”

Her complaints were filed before both the IHC harassment committee and the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC). The SJC plea was filed under Article 209 of Pakistan’s Constitution, which allows the removal of superior court judges for misconduct. The IHC filing was made under the Protection against Harassment of Women at the Workplace Act, 2010.

Mazari asked the IHC committee to open proceedings into the matter and declare Justice Dogar “guilty of harassing the complainant.” She also requested the SJC to recommend his removal from office.

The filing accused Justice Dogar of showing a “broader pattern of intimidation and degrading treatment” in violation of his authority. It urged disciplinary action and said the episode was part of a climate of hostility against lawyers.