Claims of bribery of Court’s staff at Islamabad High Court (IHC) after their transfer have emerged.

On Justice Babar Sattar’s instructions, his secretary sent a letter to the Justice Secretary, who addressed complaints that certain employees demanded money from the petitions and lawyers. The letter emphasized that such actions constitute bribery and undermine the principles of justice. Copies of the letter were also sent to the secretaries of all judges.

The letter stated that an immediate action had to be taken to eliminate this malpractice. The courtroom and corridors in IHC are under video surveillance. It suggested reviewing recordings from the past two weeks to identify any cases of bribery and called for strict disciplinary measures against those found guilty.

It emphasized further concern that some high courts have tolerated similar practices, making bribery part of their system. However, such a culture is not acceptable in IHC and any attempts to introduce it to be eradicated.

Despite the signs of some legal premises over Pakistan that say demanding money is strictly prohibited, reports show that bribes are still taking place during these warnings. The letter emphasized that inaction could now lead to the deterioration of IHC’s integrity.

The Office of Acting Chief Justice Sarfaraz Dogar confirmed the receipt of the letter and stated that a circular was already issued in this regard. However, when contacted, the registrar’s office did not give an immediate comment.