Babar Sattar (Urdu: بابر ستار) has made a significant impact as a Pakistani jurist, serving as a Justice at the Islamabad High Court (IHC) since December 30, 2020.
Education
Babar Sattar is a distinguished graduate of Cadet College Hasan Abdal. As a Rhodes Scholar, he pursued his Master of Laws (LL.M.) at Harvard Law School.
Career
Before ascending to the judiciary, Sattar had a rich and diverse career as a lawyer, law professor, and prolific writer. His contributions can be found on various platforms including Medium, Dawn, The News International, Geo News, and The Friday Times.
His judicial journey began when the Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP), led by then Chief Justice of Pakistan Gulzar Ahmed, recommended him for the position of Additional Judge on December 3, 2020. President Arif Alvi approved his appointment on December 30, 2020. Less than a year later, on December 8, 2021, the JCP promoted him to a permanent judge at the IHC.
Notable Cases
- Advocate for Qazi Faez Isa (2019): Sattar represented Justice Qazi Faez Isa before the Supreme Court of Pakistan, defending him against a presidential reference.
- Marriages Under Age 18 (March 1, 2022): He declared marriages under the age of 18 unlawful and ordered the reunification of a 16-year-old girl with her mother.
- FIR Suspension Against a Citizen (November 13, 2022): Sattar suspended an FIR against a citizen who had posted tweets critical of then Chief of Army Staff Qamar Javed Bajwa, ruling that tweets alone could not incite mutiny.
- Release of PTI Leaders (August 17, 2023): He ordered the release of PTI leaders Shehryar Afridi and Shandana Gulzar, holding officials in contempt for non-compliance with court orders.
- Contempt of Court Case Involving Imran Khan: Sattar was part of the bench addressing the contempt of court case involving former Prime Minister Imran Khan, in relation to his remarks against a female judge.
- Illegal House Allotment Case (September 22, 2023): He issued a contempt of court notice to Raziq Sanjrani for failing to appear in a case involving the illegal allotment of a house in Islamabad.
- ISPR Chief Report Order (December 7, 2023): Sattar directed the ISPR chief to submit a report on a leaked audio involving former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s wife.
- Detention Orders (December 29, 2023): He ruled that the authority to issue detention orders under Section 3 of the MPO should be transferred from the deputy commissioner to the federal cabinet.
Views and Controversies
Justice Sattar has been vocal about the practice of audio recordings by Pakistani intelligence agencies, questioning the ethics and legality of such actions. This stance has drawn criticism, with some alleging that his actions protect individuals involved in corruption.
Letter Alleging ISI Interference
On March 26, 2024, Sattar and five other IHC judges wrote to the Supreme Judicial Council, alleging ISI interference in judicial matters. They reported instances of pressure through the abduction and torture of relatives and secret surveillance. The following day, Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa convened a full court session to investigate these serious allegations.
Justice Babar Sattar’s career reflects his dedication to the rule of law and justice. His bold decisions and unwavering stance on key issues continue to shape the legal landscape of Pakistan.