CJP Anwar Zaheer Jamali. PHOTO: FILE
ISLAMABAD: Ahead of a crucial meeting of the Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP) today (Monday), Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Anwar Zaheer Jamali proposed the elevation of Lahore High Court Chief Justice Justice Ijazul Ahsan as a Supreme Court judge and nominated LHC Judge Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah as the new LHC chief justice, sources told The Express Tribune on Sunday.
The CJP summoned the commission’s meeting today (Monday) to hold detailed discussions on three separate issues.
First, sources said, the commission will consider the CJP’s recommendations in connection with the LHC.
Judicial appointments: JCP to consider 7 judges for SHC on June 6
Justice Ijazul Ahsan will perform his duty as SC’s judge until August 2025. Similarly, LHC senior puisne judge Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah may work as Punjab’s top judge until November 27, 2024. Both judges were appointed as LHC judges on September 15, 2009.
After elevation of Justice Ijazul Ahsan, all seats of the apex court’s permanent judges will be filled. Currently, one permanent seat is vacant in the apex court, while two ad hoc judges are also working.
Meanwhile, the Judicial Commission will also consider proposed amendments in the JCP Rules of 2010.
The meeting will be attended by five judges of the apex court, chief justices and senior-most judges of all high courts, federal and provincial law ministers, attorney-general for Pakistan and five lawyers’ representatives.
On March 15, 2013, Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) proposed amendments to the JCP rules, seeking the transfer of discretionary powers on appointment of superior court judges from the chairman to the commission.
The PBC executive body, while passing a resolution last week, observed that the participation of the council in the appointment, confirmation, or non-confirmation of judges of the superior courts was inadequate. The PBC also stressed upon the need for holding appropriate consultation with its representatives.
JCP extends IHC judge’s tenure
Sources said that PBC representative in JCP Yasin Azad summoned a meeting of the representatives of provincial bar councils in the commission on Sunday for evolving a strategy in Monday’s meeting.
It is learnt that most members of the commission, who belong to the superior judiciary, have already expressed their reservations over proposed amendments in the JCP Rules.
Sources said that a few members of high courts had already shared written comments on this issue.
The commission is alkso scheduled to deliberate upon seven appointments to the Sindh High Court (SHC).
The move comes after SHC Chief Justice Sajjad Ali Shah sent names for appointing additional judges to the court.
According to sources, Justice Sajjad Ali Shah recommended names of District & Sessions Judge Rasheed Ahmed Soomro, Advocates Arshed Hussain Khan, Masood Khan, Saleem Jessar, Abdul Hamid Barakzai, Hamayoon Khan and Sarfaraz Akhund.
The approved strength of SHC is 40 but only 33 judges are currently working. Some judges are also close to retirement.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 6th, 2016.
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