JCP proposes eight names for LHC additional judges

Commission also suggests confirming six new additional judges

ISLAMABAD : The Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP) has proposed eight names for appointment of new additional judges of the Lahore High Court while also recommending job confirmation of six.

According to sources, a JCP meeting under the chairpersonship of Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar was held on Tuesday, wherein the commission recommended names of Anwaar ul Haq Pannu, Asim Hafeez, Risaal Syed, Shakeelur Rehman, Sadiq Mehmood Khurram, Farooq Haider, Ch Waheed Khan and Ahmad Raza for new LHC judges while the panel did not endorse Uzma Chughtai, Shakir Ali and Tafazzul Rizvi.

The commission has also proposed confirmation of six LHC additional judges, namely Justice Mujahid Mustaqim Ahmad, Justice Asjad Javaid Ghural, Justice Jawad Hassan, Justice Muzammil, Justice Tariq Saleem Sheikh, and Justice Chaudhry Abdul Aziz. The commission however did not recommend confirmation of Justice Tariq Iftikhar.



Presently, 46 judges are working while 14 seats are vacant in the LHC. In view of the JCP’s decision, total strength of LHC will reach 53 with four more judges retiring soon.

Likewise, the commission has also proposed the name of Justice Muhammed Anwar ul Haq as new LHC chief justice. Incumbent LHC CJ Yawar Ali, who is heading a special bench for the high treason case against former military ruler Pervez Musharraf, is going to retire on October 22.

The superior bars are also continuously urging superior court judges to amend JCP rules and stricture the powers of chief justices in process of judges’ appointment.

They have suggested that criteria should be made public for nomination of appointees and a committee led by the senior most judge, Justice Asif Saeed Khosa has been notified to consider recommendations to amend the JCP rules.