Judicial Commission Meeting Finalizes Supreme Court Appointments
CJP-led Judicial Commission Appoints Six New Judges to Supreme Court
| Reporter: Sohail Rashid
| Date: February 10, 2025
| Posted by: Watts News, the Largest English Digital News Network Pakistan
Islamabad – The Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP), under the chairmanship of Chief Justice Yahya Afridi, convened a crucial meeting to finalize appointments to the Supreme Court of Pakistan. The session was attended by nine members, while two senior judges and two PTI members opted to boycott the proceedings.
According to insider sources, five new judges have been approved for appointment to the apex court, with an additional ad-hoc justice also being confirmed.
Who Are the Newly Appointed Judges?
The following judges have been approved for elevation to the Supreme Court:
Chief Justice Aamer Farooq (Islamabad High Court)
Chief Justice Shafi Siddiqui (Sindh High Court)
Justice Salahuddin Panhwar (Sindh High Court)
Chief Justice Hashim Khan Kakar (Balochistan High Court)
Justice Shakeel Ahmed (Peshawar High Court)
Additionally, Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb has been appointed as an ad-hoc justice of the Supreme Court.
These appointments aim to fill the vacant positions in the Supreme Court and enhance judicial efficiency. However, the final approval for these appointments rests with the President of Pakistan.
Ad-Hoc Judge Appointment and Its Implications
Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb's appointment falls under Article 181 of the Constitution. Sources indicate that Chief Justice Afridi recommended his inclusion specifically to handle tax-related cases.
This temporary appointment means Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb is no longer in the running for the position of Chief Justice of Islamabad High Court. Ad-hoc judges are appointed for a specific period, with no set constitutional term.
Boycott and Protest Over Judicial Appointments
The session faced opposition from senior judiciary members, with Justice Mansoor Ali Shah and Justice Muneeb Akhtar boycotting the meeting. Both judges submitted a letter to the Chief Justice, requesting an adjournment.
In addition, PTI representatives Barrister Gohar and Ali Zafar recorded their protest against the proceedings. Both members exited the meeting after making their opposition part of the official record.
Ongoing Seniority Controversy
The judicial appointments have been marred by controversy over seniority disputes. To address concerns, the JCP sought nominations from all five high courts—Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar, Islamabad, and Quetta.
Tensions escalated further when four senior Supreme Court judges—Justice Mansoor Ali Shah, Justice Muneeb Akhtar, Justice Ayesha Malik, and Justice Athar Minallah—wrote a letter to Chief Justice Afridi, urging a delay in the process. They cited concerns over:
The formation of a full court for the pending 26th Constitutional Amendment case.
Constitutional ambiguities surrounding the transfer of three Islamabad High Court judges.
The requirement for these judges to take a fresh oath, which was reportedly overlooked.
Additionally, Senator Ali Zafar called for a postponement, emphasizing that the seniority issue must be resolved first before proceeding with new appointments.
Conclusion
The outcome of this Judicial Commission meeting will have lasting implications on the judicial structure of Pakistan. Whether the appointments proceed immediately or face further deliberations depends on the resolution of the seniority disputes and the President’s final approval.
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