'Old system of judges' selection has been replaced'

First session of Judicial Commission on filling vacancies in the superior judiciary held.

The first session of the Judicial Commission to initiate the process of filling actual and anticipated vacancies in the superior judiciary was held in Islamabad on Saturday.

Chairing the meeting, Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhary said the old system for the selection of judges has been replaced.

He said senior judges, the Law Minister, and representatives of the Pakistan Bar Council will now discharge duties on the bases of their collective wisdom.

The chief justice said for the time being, they will function under the provision and guidelines in the interim order, adding that they have already pointed out certain reservations with article 175-A to the parliament.

He said that they expect the parliament to come up to the expectations of the petitioners and the judges on that issue.

According to Express 24/7 correspondent Faisal Shakeel, the Judicial Commission of Pakistan Rules 2010 was also formulated and approved in the meeting.

These rules will provide the mechanics of the judicial commission in filling anticipated and actual vacancies.

According to the rules, if there is a vacancy in the SC or for the chief justice of Federal Shariat court or chief justice of a High Court, the Chief Justice of Pakistan will come up with nominations for the post.