Pakistan

SC grants extension to 32 additional judges

The chief justices of high courts had earlier written letters to the CJP over a possible judicial crisis.

Express August 30, 2010

ISLAMABAD: A full court bench of the Supreme Court (SC) has ordered 32 additional judges of all four high courts to continue working on Monday (today).

Sources said that the chief justices of high courts had earlier written letters to the chief justice of Pakistan over a possible judicial crisis emerging in the country.

Judges cannot be appointed under the new procedure by September 5th, since a judicial commission or parliamentary committee to approve recommendations is not in place.

However, a judicial void is likely to emerge as some of the existing judges will retire by this date.

The appointment procedure, as approved by the Parliament in the 18th Amendment, was challenged in the Supreme Court.

The government said that since the issue is already in the court, therefore it can do nothing till the Supreme Court decides the case.

COMMENTS (4)

Ali Hassan | 13 years ago | Reply Justice Chaudhry has once again applied the doctrine of necessity by extending the life of 32 ad hoc judges in the High Courts. If a procedure is available within the constitution for the appointment of judges than how can Supreme Court of Pakistan extends the term of judges. Mere fact that it will avert the judicial crisis does not justify that the SC can give orders beyond the Constitution of Pakistan. If such interim orders are justifiable in the eye of law than what could be said regarding the orders given by the then Supreme Court of Pakistan on October 1999 and Nov ember 3rd, 2007 ?? Constitution needs to be followed. Otherwise, article 6 of the Constitution clearly determines its consequences of its non-compliance which also applies to judges.

shahzad khan | 13 years ago | Reply Now Judges will also continue to work on stay orders just like the Punjab Government which is still continuing to function on a stay order for the past almost 3 years. Why not our (so called) independant Judiciary should pay back to their masters. This extension has no legal & constitutional backing. What a pity.

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