According to Justice Sattar, it is unlawful to change rules without holding a full court session.
Justice Babar Sattar vehemently opposed the modifications in a letter to Acting Chief Justice Sarfraz Dogar and other judges, sparking a dispute over the Islamabad High Court (IHC) Rules 2025 alterations.
Justice Sattar said in his letter that it was against the law for the alterations to be made without calling a full court hearing.
He said that the modifications were against both the Lahore High Court’s regulations, which the IHC had previously embraced, and Article 208 of the constitution.
Justice Sattar emphasized that only the Chief Justice and the judges of a High Court, acting jointly, have the power to create rules under Article 208.
He asserted that there is no alternative way to assign or use this power. He added that there was no documentation of a complete court session where the 2011 Islamabad High Court Rules were reviewed or even revoked.
Justice Sattar demanded quick rectification of the Islamabad High Court Rules 2025, calling it legally illegal and unconstitutional. He warned that erroneous amendments could impair the rights of court personnel and bring disrepute to the institution.
He emphasized the significance of transparency in judicial governance and adherence to constitutional responsibilities in his closing remarks.
