Sidelined?: Former IHC judge challenges non-extension

Seeks stay order on Judicial Commission’s recommendations.

PESHAWAR:

Former judge of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) Justice Azim Afridi has challenged the Judicial Commission of Pakistan’s (JCP) recommendation against extension of his services at the Peshawar High Court (PHC).

He asked the court not to let the respondents – which include the president, the JCP secretary and the government of Pakistan – take a decision until the court gives its verdict on his petition.

During the JCP’s meeting held on October 22, the services of two judges were confirmed and extended, but Justice Afridi’s one-year service, which ended on November 2012, was not extended or confirmed.

In the petition filed through his lawyer Mian Muhibullah Kakakhel, Afridi termed the meeting of the JCP and its proceedings “of no legal effect.” Afridi maintained he was being punished by the JCP chairman in connivance with other members of the commission.

He also requested the court to direct the president of Pakistan to perform his functions in accordance with the Constitution and not accept any recommendation contrary to his official conduct.

Earlier on Tuesday, Justice Afridi served the judicial commission of Pakistan with a defamation notice and sought damages to the tune of Rs1 billion. He said he was traumatised and defamed by the commission after not being confirmed as an IHC judge.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 28^th, 2012.