The Supreme Court of Pakistan has ruled that judges whose reputation and credibility are seriously damaged should be dismissed from service rather than granted compulsory retirement with benefits.

The detailed judgment was issued by a three-member bench headed by Justice Shahid Waheed in a case involving former Additional District and Sessions Judge Afzal Zahid of Mailsi, Punjab.

The court emphasised that judicial integrity is not limited to the absence of proven corruption but also includes maintaining an unblemished character, exemplary conduct, and public confidence in the judiciary.According to the judgment, the judiciary derives its authority from public trust and moral credibility rather than force.

The court stated that a judge must be above suspicion, and that retaining a judge whose reputation has been seriously questioned undermines judicial ethics and public confidence.

It further observed that granting compulsory retirement instead of dismissal to a judge with a poor reputation may create the impression that integrity within the judiciary is negotiable.

The ruling discussed Islamic teachings, citing the Holy Quran, Hadith, and classical Islamic jurists to underline that judicial office is a sacred trust requiring justice, piety, and integrity.

The court noted that when public doubts arise regarding a judge’s character and credibility, removal from office may become necessary to protect the institution.The case originated after multiple complaints and supervisory reports raised concerns about Afzal Zahid’s reputation.

Although a departmental inquiry did not directly prove corruption allegations, the competent authority dismissed him on grounds of poor reputation and questionable integrity.

The Service Tribunal later converted the dismissal into compulsory retirement, but the Supreme Court restored the principle that a judge with a damaged reputation should not continue to benefit from judicial office.The judgment reinforces the importance of both actual integrity and the public perception of integrity within Pakistan’s judicial system.