In a significant development for Pakistan's judiciary, the Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP) has approved a series of crucial appointments and tenure extensions for judges across the country's high courts. These decisions come against the backdrop of continued non-participation by representatives of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in the commission's proceedings.
Major Decisions for Peshawar and Sindh High Courts
The commission, chaired by Chief Justice Yahya Afridi, convened at the Supreme Court in Islamabad on Wednesday. After a thorough review of data forms, antecedents, and evaluation material, the JCP reached its conclusions through a majority vote.
For the Peshawar High Court (PHC), the body confirmed six additional judges as permanent judges. The confirmed justices are Muhammad Tariq Afridi, Abdul Fayaz, Salahuddin, Sadiq Ali, Syed Mudassar Ameer, and Qazi Jawad Ehsanullah. Furthermore, the commission granted a six-month extension in the tenure of four additional PHC judges: Justices Farah Jamshed, Inamullah Khan, Sabitullah Khan, and Aurangzeb.
This follows similar confirmations made just a day earlier for the Sindh High Court (SHC). The JCP on Tuesday confirmed ten additional SHC judges as permanent members. The list includes Justices Miran Muhammad Shah, Tasneem Sultana, Riazat Ali Sahar, Muhammad Hasan (Akber), Abdul Hamid Bhurgi, Jan Ali Junejo, Nisar Ahmed Bhanbhro, Ali Haider 'Ada', Muhammad Osman Ali Hadi, and Muhammad Jaffer Raza. Two additional SHC judges, Khalid Hussain Shahani and Syed Fiaz-ul-Hassan Shah, received six-month extensions. The commission also nominated Justices Amjad Ali Bohio, Muhammad Hasan (Akber), Ali Haider 'Ada', and Muhammad Osman Ali Hadi to serve on the SHC's constitutional bench.
Confirmations for Islamabad and Balochistan High Courts
The judicial appointments were not limited to Peshawar and Sindh. In earlier sessions, the JCP also moved to solidify the benches of other provincial high courts.
For the Islamabad High Court (IHC), three additional judges were confirmed as permanent judges: Justices Inaam Ameen Minhas, Muhammad Asif, and Muhammad Azam Khan.
In a separate meeting concerning the Balochistan High Court (BHC), the commission confirmed Justice Najam-ud-Din Mengal as a permanent judge. However, it did not confirm Justice Muhammad Ayub Khan, who is no longer serving on the BHC bench.
Notable Absence of PTI Representatives
A consistent and notable feature of these JCP meetings has been the absence of its PTI-nominated members. Barrister Gohar Ali Khan and lawyer Ali Zafar did not attend any of the four meetings that resulted in these confirmations across all four high courts.
This pattern continued during the Wednesday session focused on the PHC, where the PTI's member of the Judicial Commission and the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa provincial law minister were also absent. Their consistent non-attendance has drawn significant notice and commentary within Pakistan's legal and political circles, raising questions about the political engagement in the critical judicial appointment process.
The series of decisions marks a major step in filling permanent positions within Pakistan's superior judiciary, ensuring greater stability and continuity in the courts' operations. The JCP's actions underscore its central role in shaping the country's judicial landscape.
