Khawaja Asif sharply reacted to Justice Mansoor Ali Shah’s poetic lines in his resignation letter, accusing the senior judge of a “selective sense of justice” that undermines his stature.
Asif, the Defence Minister and senior PML‑N figure, said that while he respects Justice Shah’s long career in the higher judiciary, raising institutional grievances only now raises questions. He wondered why Shah did not speak out earlier about major judicial controversies involving names like Saqib Nisar, Asif Saeed Khosa, Ijaz‑ul‑Ahsan, and Mazahar Naqvi, all of whom, Asif claimed, had tarnished the judiciary’s reputation.
“Asif said, ‘Why were these concerns about public trust not raised before … Is this complaint rooted in personal reasons?’” He argued that a judge of Shah’s standing should not frame institutional criticism through poetic resignation, calling it an odd fit for someone in such a high office.
Justice Shah’s letter had called for a full court meeting, flagging what he called serious damage to public confidence in the judiciary following the 26th Constitutional Amendment. Asif, however, challenged the timing and motivation behind the judge’s dramatic lines, saying they reflected more personal frustration than institutional concern.
Observers say this clash between Asif and Shah highlights deeper faultlines over judicial reforms and the balance of power. It comes amid broader controversy surrounding amendments to judicial appointment mechanisms and reconstitution of the Judicial Commission.
Meanwhile, related discussions on traffic between political and judicial elites have also surfaced. As a reminder of ongoing debates over institutional strength, there are calls for governance reforms that stress state resilience and accountability. In this context, Asif has repeatedly urged the nation to build a “hard state”, a strong, disciplined system able to enforce rules and restore public trust.
The sharpness of Asif’s response underscores how sensitive the issue of judicial independence remains, especially when framed in personal or artistic expressions.
