In a significant development for Pakistan's judiciary, the Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP) has moved to confirm a majority of the additional judges serving at the Lahore High Court. The commission held a crucial meeting on Thursday at the Supreme Court building in Islamabad to decide on the future of these judicial officers.
Majority Vote Seals Decision for 11 Judges
The session, which was presided over by the Chief Justice of Pakistan in his role as the JCP Chairperson, concluded with a majority decision. After a thorough review process, the commission voted to recommend the confirmation of eleven additional judges as permanent judges of the Lahore High Court.
The official statement released after the meeting confirmed that the commission examined detailed data forms, personal antecedents, and various evaluation reports pertaining to each judge before reaching its conclusion. This rigorous scrutiny is a standard part of the appointment process for the higher judiciary.
The Approved Names and a Notable Extension
The judges who received the JCP's recommendation for permanent appointment are a diverse group of legal experts. The list includes Justice Hassan Nawaz Makhdoom, Justice Malik Waqar Haider Awan, and Justice Sardar Akbar Ali. Also recommended were Justice Syed Ahsan Raza Kazmi, Justice Malik Javid Iqbal Wains, and Justice Muhammad Jawad Zafar.
Completing the list are Justice Khalid Ishaq, Justice Malik Muhammad Awais Khalid, Justice Ch. Sultan Mahmood, Justice Tanveer Ahmad Sheikh, and Justice Abher Gul Khan.
In a separate but related decision, the commission proposed a six-month extension for Justice Tariq Mahmood Bajwa, who is also serving as an Additional Judge at the Lahore High Court. This suggests a need for further evaluation before a final decision on his permanent status.
One Judge Not Confirmed, Next Steps in the Process
The meeting's outcomes were not uniformly positive for all candidates. The JCP did not recommend the confirmation of Justice Raja Ghazanfar Ali Khan. The official statement did not elaborate on the specific reasons for this decision, which remains within the commission's deliberative purview.
As mandated by the Constitution of Pakistan, the recommendations of the Judicial Commission are not final. They will now be forwarded to the Parliamentary Committee on Judges Appointment for the next stage of consideration. This committee, comprising members from both houses of Parliament, will review the JCP's proposals before the appointments are officially finalized.
This process underscores the checks and balances built into Pakistan's judicial appointment system, aiming to ensure transparency and meritocracy in elevating judges to permanent positions in the superior courts.
