Supreme Court to consider ad hoc judges appointments today

ISLAMABAD: The Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP) will discuss appointing ad hoc judges to the Supreme Court on Friday (today) with Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa heading the commission.

This follows requests from bar associations to speed up case resolution due to a backlog of about 54,000 pending cases. The appointments aim to reduce workload on the Supreme Court amid debates over their necessity and constitutionality.

Read more: PTI to challenge ad hoc judges’ appointment in SJC

The Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) threw its weight behind the appointments, citing delays for ordinary litigants due to prolonged political hearings in the Supreme Court. The bar council also advocated for a separate constitutional court to handle constitutional and political cases. This will ease the workload on Supreme Court justices, the PCB insisted.

Retired judge Maqbool Baqar declined an offer to serve as an ad hoc judge, citing personal reasons. Justice Mushir Alam also similarly declined the appointment. In contrast, retired judges Sardar Tariq Masood and Mazhar Alam Miankhel accepted the offer.

The Chief Justice invoked Article 182-A of the Constitution in response to requests from bar associations in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to tackle pending court cases. Retired judges would be temporarily appointed to assist with the heavy caseloads.

However, the appointments have sparked controversy. Some legal community members, including PTI Senator Hamid Khan, criticised them as unnecessary and possibly unconstitutional, arguing the Supreme Court already has a full bench.

Read more: Ad hoc appointment in SC: two retired judges agree, one declines offer

The Lahore High Court Bar Association voiced scepticism, expressing concerns about potential judicial decision influence. In contrast, the Punjab Bar Council supported the move, stating it was important in addressing case backlogs and ensuring timely justice.

The Minister for Law and Justice, Azam Nazeer Tarar, defended the appointments, citing constitutional provisions allowing for expediting the judicial process and alleviating the Supreme Court’s workload.