Pakistan's Judicial Commission Approves Chief Justices for Major High Courts

The Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP), chaired by Chief Justice Yahya Afridi, approved the appointments of permanent chief justices for four major high courts on Tuesday. The appointments include Justice SM Attique Shah for Peshawar High Court, Justice Rozi Khan for Balochistan High Court, Justice Muhammad Junaid Ghaffar for Sindh High Court, and Justice Sardar Sarfraz Dogar for Islamabad High Court.

Justice SM Attique Shah was selected over Justice Ijaz Anwar and Justice Arshad Ali for Peshawar High Court. Justice Rozi Khan was chosen based on seniority for Balochistan High Court, while Justice Muhammad Junaid Ghaffar's appointment for Sindh High Court was unanimous due to his seniority. Justice Sardar Sarfraz Dogar secured the majority vote for Islamabad High Court.

Senator Ali Zafar, a JCP member from PTI, emphasized appointing the senior-most judge as chief justice. He mentioned an ongoing intra-court appeal regarding IHC judges' seniority and expressed concerns over discussing the matter before a decision on the appeal.

Five IHC judges have challenged the transfer of three judges to IHC and requested the apex court to restrict the transferred judges from judicial or administrative functions. The judges have filed an intra-court appeal against the order.

According to the source: The Express Tribune.