Judicial appointments: JCP to consider 7 judges for SHC on June 6

Judicial commission to also consider proposed changes in rules.

ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice of Pakistan Anwar Zaheer Jamali has summoned a meeting of the Judicial Commission of Pakistan on June 6 to deliberate on seven appointments to the Sindh High Court.

The move comes after SHC Chief Justice Sajjad Ali Shah sent the CJP names for appointing additional judges to the court.

According to sources, Justice Shah has recommended the name of District & Sessions Judge Rasheed Ahmed Soomro, Advocate Arshed Hussain Khan, Advocate Masood Khan, Advocate Saleem Jessar, Advocate Abdul Hamid Barakzai, Advocate Hamayoon Khan and Advocate Sarfaraz Akhund.

The approved strength of SHC is 40 but currently only 33 judges are working. Some judges are also close to their retirement age.

Meanwhile, sources also say that the CJP has called a separate special meeting of the Judicial Commission on June 6 to consider proposed amendments in the JCP Rules 2010.

On March 15, 2013, the Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) submitted proposed amendments in the JCP rules seeking the transfer of discretionary powers regarding 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 is inadequate. PBC has also urged that appropriate consultation with its representatives.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 26^th, 2016.