ISLAMABAD: The Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP) on Tuesday recommended the appointment of permanent chief justices for the high courts of Islamabad, Sindh, Peshawar, and Balochistan.
The meeting, held in the Supreme Court’s Conference Room and chaired by Chief Justice of Pakistan Yahya Afridi, deliberated on nominees for the top judicial posts across the provinces.
Islamabad High Court (IHC)
The JCP recommended Justice Sardar Sarfraz Dogar, currently serving as acting Chief Justice of the IHC, for permanent appointment. Justice Dogar secured a majority of nine votes, prevailing over fellow contenders Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb and Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani.
Votes in his favour came from Justice Aminuddin Khan, retired judge Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui, Attorney General Mansoor Usman Awan, Federal Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarar, PBC representative Ahsen Bhoon, Senator Farooq H Naek, MNA Roshan Bharucha, Sheikh Aftab, and Rana Tanvir.
Chief Justice Yahya Afridi, PTI representatives Barrister Gohar Ali Khan and Barrister Ali Zafar, and Islamabad Bar Association’s Zulfiqar Abbasi supported Justice Aurangzeb. Meanwhile, Justices Syed Mansoor Ali Shah and Munib Akhtar backed Justice Kayani on grounds of seniority. Justice Jamal Mandokhail abstained.
Peshawar High Court (PHC)
The commission recommended Justice S M Attique Shah as the permanent Chief Justice of the PHC. He has been serving in an acting capacity. Other names under consideration were Justices Ejaz Anwar and Arshad Ali.
Balochistan High Court (BHC)
For the BHC, the JCP nominated Justice Rozi Khan Barrech, also currently serving as acting Chief Justice. He was selected over Justices Kamran Khan and Iqbal Ahmed Kassi.
Sindh High Court (SHC)
The appointment of Justice Junaid Ghaffar as permanent Chief Justice of the SHC was unanimously approved. He prevailed over Justices Zafar Ahmed Rajput and Muhammad Iqbal Kalhoro, who were also considered.
Calls for Constitutional Review Dismissed
At the outset, Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah suggested addressing pending petitions on the 26th Constitutional Amendment before proceeding with the appointments, a motion supported by Justice Munib Akhtar and KP’s law minister. However, the majority of the commission rejected the proposal and proceeded with the scheduled agenda.
The JCP’s recommendations will now be forwarded to the Parliamentary Committee on Judges Appointment for final approval, as per the Constitution.
