Muhammad Farrukh Irfan Khan Explained

Muhammad Farrukh Irfan Khan
Office2:Justice of the Lahore High Court
Term Start2:20 February 2010
Term End2:9 April 2019
Birth Date:23 June 1958
Nationality:Pakistani
Alma Mater:Punjab University Law College

Muhammad Farrukh Irfan Khan (Urdu: {{Nastaliq|محمد فرخ عرفان خان; born 23 June 1958) is a Pakistani jurist who has been Justice of the Lahore High Court from 20 February 2010 until his resignation on 9 April 2019[1]

Education

Khan studied at Punjab University Law College in Lahore.[2]

Panama Papers scandal

Khan's name appeared in Panama Papers in relation to having two offshore companies registered in British Virgin Islands. Anrol Limited was registered on 14 April 2000 and Tramalin Limited was registered on 24 July 2003. Khan and his daughter Maria Farrukh Irfan Khan both served as a director in both companies. He was the only judge from Pakistan whose name appeared in Panama Papers.[3] Supreme Judicial Council of Pakistan (SJC) issued him a show cause notice in February 2017 but never continued with the proceedings until 3 January 2019 that is when it started the hearings.[4] In March 2019, former Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry expressed his desire to submit an affidavit in his favour but it was not allowed as Chaudhry did not want to appear for cross-examination.[5] When Khan was supposed to appear in front of SJC on 9 April 2019, he sent his resignation as Justice of the Lahore High Court to President of Pakistan Arif Alvi citing the reason that he was being pressurized not to dispense his judicial duties in an independent manner. In his letter to the president, he accused Mian Saqib Nisar and Asif Saeed Khosa of running the biased proceedings and foregoing the due process. His original retirement date was supposed to be 22 June 2020.[6]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Hon'ble Sitting Judges - Lahore High Court. data.lhc.gov.pk. 18 September 2018.
  2. Web site: SJC refuses to call ex-CJP in reference against LHC judge. The Newspaper's Staff. Reporter. January 9, 2019. DAWN.COM.
  3. Web site: A case that hasn't seen the light of day. June 17, 2017. The News International.
  4. Web site: Supreme Judicial Council directs LHC judge to present money trail of offshore properties. Haseeb. Bhatti. January 3, 2019. DAWN.COM.
  5. Web site: SJC to hear LHC judge case on March 11. The Express Tribune. 24 December 2019. 9 March 2019. Hasnaat. Malik.
  6. Web site: Panama Papers scandal: LHC judge Farrukh Irfan resigns citing pressure. April 10, 2019. The News International.