Shake-up in Supreme Judicial Council, Judicial Commission

ISLAMABAD: Soon after taking oath, Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa has made important changes in the Supreme Judicial Council and the Judicial Commission of Pakistan.

According to the changes, Justice Ijazul Ahasan has become a member of the Supreme Judicial Council, while Justice Sardar Tariq was already a part of the council.

On the other hand, Justice Munib Akhtar has joined the Judicial Commission of Pakistan, where Justice Sardar Tariq, Justice Ijazul Ahsan and Justice Mansoor Ali Shah were already members.

The Supreme Judicial Council and the Judicial Commission of Pakistan are two constitutional bodies that are responsible for the appointment and accountability of judges in the superior judiciary of Pakistan.

The Supreme Judicial Council is comprised of the Chief Justice of Pakistan as chairman, two most senior judges of the Supreme Court and two most senior chief justices of high courts as members. The Registrar of the Supreme Court acts as its secretary.

The Supreme Judicial Council investigates the matters of misconduct or incapacity of judges and presents its findings to the president. A judge may not be removed from service except on the grounds and procedure specified by the Supreme Judicial Council.

According to the constitution, the Judicial Commission of Pakistan is headed by the chief justice and includes four senior judges, along with other members like a retired judge, the law minister, and the attorney general. A representative from the Pakistan Bar Council is also a member of the Judicial Commission of Pakistan.

The Judicial Commission of Pakistan consists of the Chief Justice of Pakistan as chairman, four senior most judges of the Supreme Court, one former Chief Justice or judge of the Supreme Court nominated by the chairman in consultation with four member judges for a period of two years, the Attorney General for Pakistan, the Federal Law Minister and a senior advocate of Supreme Court of Pakistan nominated by the Pakistan Bar Council.

The Judicial Commission is responsible for recommending names of prospective judges to the president for appointment in the Supreme Court and high courts. The recommendations are subject to approval or rejection by a parliamentary committee.