Chief Justice of Pakistan Yahya Afridi has constituted interview committees to evaluate candidates for appointments to the high courts of Islamabad, Lahore, Sindh, and Balochistan, according to a notification issued on Thursday.
Committee Composition and Leadership
Under the notification, Lahore High Court (LHC) Chief Justice Aalia Neelum, being the senior-most chief justice among the high courts, will serve as a member of all four committees. Justice Syed Hasan Azhar Rizvi has been appointed chairperson of the committees for appointments to the LHC and the Islamabad High Court (IHC), while Justice Aamer Farooq will head the committees for the Sindh High Court (SHC) and the Balochistan High Court (BHC).
Members of the Committees
The committees for the Lahore and Islamabad high courts comprise Justice Aalia Neelum, Justice Sarfraz Dogar, Attorney General Mansoor Usman Awan, Senator Farooq H Naek, Barrister Ali Zafar, and Ahsan Bhoon. For the SHC, the committee includes Justice Aalia Neelum, Justice Zafar Rajput, Attorney General Mansoor Usman Awan, Farooq H Naek, Barrister Ali Zafar, and Ahsan Bhoon. Similarly, the committee for the BHC consists of the same members except for Justice Rajput, who is replaced by another judge.
Impact on Judicial Appointments
These committees are tasked with interviewing candidates and making recommendations for the elevation of judges to the respective high courts. The process is part of ongoing efforts to fill vacancies and ensure efficient functioning of the superior judiciary. The notification underscores the importance of transparency and merit in judicial appointments.
