ISLAMABAD: The Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP) has approved the appointment of six new judges to the Supreme Court, marking a significant decision in shaping the country's judicial future.
Among the appointees are three sitting chief justices from provincial high courts: Balochistan High Court Chief Justice Hashim Khan Kakar, Sindh High Court Chief Justice Shafi Siddiqui, and Islamabad High Court Chief Justice Aamer Farooq. Their elevation to the Supreme Court strengthens the bench with seasoned legal professionals from various regions of Pakistan.
The approval of these appointments follows extensive deliberations within the JCP, which is tasked with vetting and confirming judicial appointments. The recent meeting, held on Monday, was crucial in advancing the composition of the country's highest court. The JCP, now expanded through the 26th Constitutional Amendment, comprises 13 members, including the Chief Justice of Pakistan, four Supreme Court judges, and a mix of parliamentarians from both the treasury and opposition benches, alongside other members.
Despite this progress, the JCP meeting was met with opposition. Several judges and members of the legal community, including four Supreme Court judges and five Islamabad High Court judges, urged Chief Justice Afridi to postpone the meeting. Their call was supported by the All Pakistan Lawyers Action Committee (APLAC), which has expressed concerns over the impact of the 26th Amendment and the unresolved appeals surrounding it. APLAC’s statement, signed by prominent legal figures, vowed to defend judicial independence, while lawyers staged protests, leading to disruptions in Islamabad, including the suspension of Metro bus services.
The protest intensified the debate surrounding the elevation of judges to the Supreme Court, with some legal experts calling for the process to be postponed until the ongoing constitutional challenges are resolved.
