Nominations turned down: PBC raises objections over JCP ruling

Says refusal to grant extension to two judges made in absence of bar council

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) has raised objections over the May 11 decision of the Judicial Commission of Pakistan to not extend the tenure of two additional judges of the Sindh High Court.

The PBC, the apex body of the country’s lawyers, consists of 22 members, who are elected from all over the country for a five-year period.

In their 210th meeting held on Monday, PBC members thoroughly considered and discussed the situation arising out of non-confirmation of two additional judges of SHC namely Justice Shahab Sarki and Justice Amir Raza Naqvi.

Both these judges were appointed as additional judges for one year in 2014.

The lawyers’ body was shocked to note that such a decision was taken by the Judicial Commission when the nominees of the bar council were not present due to expiry of their respective office.

“The Council was of unanimous view that these two judges were not only efficient, competent and good judges but also enjoyed excellent reputation. It was therefore, felt that their abrupt non-confirmation and that too in the absence of the representatives of the Bar Council and without registering their opinion the decision of the Judicial Commission is not proper and against all judicial norms,” says the resolution.

Meanwhile, the PBC unanimously nominated Muhammad Yaseen Azad as member of the Judicial Commission of Pakistan for next two years under Article 175A(2)(vi) of the Constitution. Azad is being nominated as member of JCP for the second time due to his integrity and reputation in the bar.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 19^th, 2015.