SJC dismisses complaint against IHC judge for 'influencing' hit-and-run case involving his son

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) has dismissed a complaint against Islamabad High Court (IHC) Judge Muhammad Asif, closing proceedings over allegations that he used his office to influence a hit-and-run case involving his underage son. On December 2 last year, a black sports utility vehicle (SUV), driven at high speed, allegedly by Justice Asif’s son, struck two girls travelling on a scooter near the Pakistan National Council of Arts in Islamabad. Both girls were killed in the incident. The judge’s son was remanded in police custody after the incident. A judicial magistrate ordered his release on December 6, 2025 after the victims’ families pardoned him in court, in accordance with provisions relating to qisas (retribution) and diyat (blood money) under the Pakistan Penal Code. The SJC — which is the constitutional body empowered to inquire into the conduct of superior court judges and recommend removal to the president if misconduct is proved — took up the matter in its meeting on May 14 and subsequently notified the complainant, retired Colonel Inamur Rahim, of its decision. However, the SJC did not make the detailed reasons for dismissing the complaint public. In his complaint, filed to the SJC on December 29, Rahim had accused Justice Asif of misusing his position to influence the investigation and subsequent legal proceedings in the case. “The respondent (Justice Asif), by abusing the influence of his office, allegedly employed state machinery to exert pressure upon the legal heirs of the victims for his personal advantage,” the complaint further alleged. “Consequently, bail was granted to his son by the Area … Magistrate on [Dec 6] in a secretive manner, whereby statements of compromise were recorded after court hours through in-camera proceedings, with the apparent objective of portraying the case as compoundable.” With the dismissal of the complaint, the SJC proceedings against Justice Asif now stand concluded, and he continues to serve on the I