On October 18, the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) of Pakistan officially approved significant amendments to the Code of Conduct governing Supreme Court and High Court judges. These amendments, which were discussed and passed during a meeting chaired by Chief Justice of Pakistan Yahya Afridi, include strict restrictions on judges’ interactions with the media and participation in public or political debates.

The council’s meeting was attended by justices from various high courts. Justices Syed Mansoor Ali Shah and Munib Akhtar participated virtually, while Lahore High Court Chief Justice Aalia Neelum and Justice Sardar Muhammad Sarfraz Dogar were present in person.

Under the revised code, judges are now prohibited from engaging in any public controversy or media interactions, especially concerning political matters, even when legal issues are involved. This directive aims to preserve the judiciary’s impartiality and prevent any actions that could lead to public debate or affect institutional discipline and collegiality. According to the amendments, if judges face public allegations, they must report these in writing to a committee led by the Chief Justice and four senior Supreme Court judges for a formal institutional response.

Additionally, the amendments extend to social, cultural, and diplomatic engagements, with judges being instructed to abstain from presiding over or attending such functions. Any invitations from foreign or international bodies must now be channeled through the relevant chief justice, and judges are barred from accepting dinners or receptions hosted in their honor by individual members of the bar.

The code also emphasizes the need for judges to decide cases based on merit alone and to resist any internal or external influences. It requires judges to report any attempts to unduly influence them, with high court chief justices obligated to forward these reports to a three-judge committee for resolution within specified timeframes.

The amendments, which build on the existing code established in 1962 and last revised in 2009, are now to be officially published in the gazette and circulated among all superior court judges, reinforcing the standards expected of the judiciary to uphold justice and maintain public confidence.