Islamabad: The process to fill vacant posts in Pakistan’s superior judiciary has moved forward as chief justices of the country’s four high courts submitted nominations for additional judges to the Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP).
According to Beyond Time News, the nominations are part of a structured appointment process aimed at filling dozens of vacancies across the Lahore, Sindh, Balochistan, and Islamabad High Courts.
JCP Invites Nominations for Vacant Posts
The Judicial Commission had earlier invited nominations for:
- 10 additional judges for Lahore High Court (LHC)
- 5 for Sindh High Court (SHC)
- 5 for Balochistan High Court (BHC)
- 3 for Islamabad High Court (IHC)
Chief Justice of Pakistan Yahya Afridi, in coordination with provincial chief justices, sought nominations from commission members by July 4.
Lahore High Court Nominations
For the Lahore High Court, Chief Justice Aalia Neelum has recommended 11 candidates, including five serving law officers.
Those recommended include:
- Advocate General Punjab Amjad Pervez
- Prosecutor General Punjab Syed Farhad Ali Shah
- Prosecutor General ICT Ghulam Sarwar Nihung
- Additional Attorney General Munawar Iqbal Dugal
- Deputy Attorney General Asad Bajwa
Other nominees include practising lawyers such as Shireen Imran, Muhammad Ajmal, Kashif Rajwana, Usman Ghani, Ameer Ajam Malik, and Khalid Bin Aziz.
Legal observers note that this is one of the rare instances where multiple serving law officers have been recommended together for judicial appointments.
Sindh High Court Recommendations
For the Sindh High Court, Chief Justice Zafar Ahmed Rajput has forwarded five names for consideration.
The nominees include:
- Sessions Judge Suresh Kumar
- Advocate Humayun
- Advocate Sara Malkani
- Additional Advocate General Zeeshan Adhi
- Former Additional Advocate General Saulat Rizvi
According to Beyond Time News, one nominee represents a minority community, highlighting ongoing discussions around representation in the judiciary.
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Balochistan High Court Nominations
Chief Justice Kamran Khan Mulakhail has recommended six candidates for the Balochistan High Court.
The list includes:
- Saleem Lashari
- Manzoor Shah
- Mian Rauf Atta (former SCBA president)
- Rehmat Barech
- Amir Lehri
- Mallag Dashti
Legal circles describe Mallag Dashti as a respected criminal law practitioner from the Makran division.
However, some nominations have reportedly faced objections from bar associations in the province.
Islamabad High Court Candidates
For the Islamabad High Court, Chief Justice Sardar Muhammad Sarfraz Dogar has recommended:
- Umair Majeed Malik
- Ayyaz Shaukat (former Advocate General ICT)
- Shahrukh Arjumand (Special Judge Central)
The names are now under review by the commission.
Bar Council and Additional Recommendations
Representatives from the Pakistan Bar Council in the JCP have also submitted additional names, including:
- Wajid Gilani (for IHC)
- Shan Gul (for LHC)
According to Beyond Time News, these recommendations reflect broader legal community participation in the appointment process.
Role of the Judicial Commission
Under amended rules, a committee within the JCP will conduct interviews of all nominated candidates before final approval.
The revised procedure aims to make the appointment process more structured, with greater scrutiny of professional background and suitability.
Challenges in Judicial Appointments
Legal experts note that judicial appointments often involve institutional and procedural challenges, including differing views among commission members and concerns about merit-based selection.
Some observers believe executive influence continues to play a significant role in final approvals.
Conclusion
The latest round of nominations marks an important step in filling long-pending vacancies in Pakistan’s superior judiciary.
As the Judicial Commission begins interviews under updated rules, attention will focus on how the selection process balances merit, representation, and institutional consensus.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP)?
It is the constitutional body responsible for appointing judges to superior courts in Pakistan.
How many judges are being appointed?
Nominations include 10 for LHC, 5 for SHC, 5 for BHC, and 3 for IHC.
What is new in the appointment process?
A committee will now conduct interviews under amended JCP rules before final decisions.
Why are law officers being recommended?
Some chief justices have nominated serving law officers based on their legal experience and qualifications.
What happens next in the process?
The JCP will review nominations, conduct interviews, and finalize appointments through majority approval.
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