Saman Rafat Imtiaz (Urdu: ثمن رفعت امتیاز, born 8 June 1976) is a Pakistani jurist and has held the position of Justice at the Islamabad High Court (IHC) since 17 December 2021. She is the second woman judge to be appointed to the IHC, following Lubna Saleem Pervez.[1]
Saman Rafat Imtiaz | |
|---|---|
| ثمن رفعت امتیاز | |
| Justice of the Islamabad High Court | |
| Assumed office 17 December 2021 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 8 June 1976 |
| Nationality | Pakistani |
| Alma mater | Beaconhouse Public School, Karachi (O-Levels, A-Levels) American University in Dubai (B.B.A) University of Richmond (Juris Doctor) |
Education edit
Imtiaz finished her O-Levels in 1992 and A-Levels in 1994 at Beaconhouse Public School, Karachi. She earned her B.B.A Degree in 1998 from the American University in Dubai and completed her Juris Doctor degree in 2001 from the University of Richmond.[1]
Career edit
In 2004, Imtiaz commenced her career as a lawyer and later established her own law firm in 2011 in Karachi, specializing in Corporate, Commercial, Banking, Tax, and other civil matters. Imtiaz was sworn in as an Additional Judge of the IHC on 17 December 2021.[1]
She officially assumed the role of a permanent judge at the IHC on 29 November 2022.[2]
Controversies edit
Allegations of harassment by intelligence agencies edit
On 26 March, 2024, six judges of the Islamabad High Court, including Imtiaz, wrote a letter to the Supreme Judicial Council of Pakistan, alleging interference by the Inter-Services Intelligence in judicial matters. They cited instances of pressure on judges through the abduction and torture of their relatives and secret surveillance within their residences. Additionally, they questioned the existence of a state policy aimed at intimidating and coercing judges.[3] Subsequently, the next day, Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa convened a full court session to investigate the accusations raised by the judges.[4]
References edit
- ^ a b c "Honourable Ms. Justice Saman Rafat Imtiaz". mis.ihc.gov.pk. Retrieved 26 December 2023.
- ^ "President Alvi regularises three additional judges of IHC". geo.tv. Retrieved 26 December 2023.
- ^ Asad, Malik (27 March 2024). "IHC judges detail 'brazen meddling' in letter to Supreme Judicial Council". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 27 March 2024.
- ^ "Calls for probe into letter by 6 IHC judges on 'brazen meddling' in judicial affairs". DAWN.COM. 27 March 2024. Retrieved 27 March 2024.