Judicial Commission to debate SC appointments one day earlier

ISLAMABAD: Judicial Commission meeting for the appointment of Supreme Court judges has been preponed to February 10. Earlier, the Judicial Commission meeting has been called for February 11.

Chief Justice of Pakistan Yahya Afridi will preside over the meeting, that will discuss the potential elevation of High Court judges to the Supreme Court. There are eight new appointments likely after the meeting.

The Judicial Commission meeting will now be held in the conference room of the apex court on February 10. The Judicial Commission members have been informed about the rescheduling of meeting, a day in advance.

APPOINTMENTS IN HIGH COURTS

Earlier this month, District and Session Judge Mohammad Azam Khan and Advocate Supreme Court Raja Inam Ameen Minhas were appointed at the Islamabad High Court (IHC).

In Balochistan High Court (BHC) as well, Justice Muhammad Asif, Justice Muhammad Ayub Khan Tareen and Najam-ud-Din Mengal were appointed. All three justices have been serving as Supreme Court advocates prior to the appointment at the BHC.

For Lahore High Court (LHC) a list of 49 lawyers has been revealed. The Judicial Commission meeting regarding the nominations of additional judges in LHC will be held on February 6.

CONSTITUTIONAL BENCH UNDER DEBATE

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court bench and the Constitutional Bench are at odds, with the judicial committee for the latter pulling a case from the former. Justice Mansoor Ali Shah has referred the case to the Chief Justice to form a full court seeking a resolution to the issue.

The case pertaining to the power of benches was scheduled to be heard by the bench presided over by Justice Mansoor. However, on the day of the hearing, the bench was informed that the case has been referred to the Constitutional Bench. The bench then sought advice from legal and constitutional experts and eventually decided that the Chief Justice and a full court is needed to decide the power of the benches as well as the judicial committees.