The Judicial Commission of Pakistan has postponed its important meeting originally set for May 2 in Islamabad. Chief Justice of Pakistan, Justice Yahya Afridi, has rescheduled the meeting for May 19, where the appointments of Chief Justices for the High Courts will be the main agenda.

Additionally, the meeting will address the appointment of the Chief Justice of the Islamabad High Court, and it is anticipated that names for the Chief Justices of the Sindh, Balochistan, and Peshawar High Courts will also be approved. Chief Justice Yahya Afridi will preside over the meeting.

Islamabad High Court judges’ transfer and seniority case

In another development, the Judicial Commission has submitted its written response to the Supreme Court regarding the ongoing case about the transfer and seniority of judges at the Islamabad High Court.

The Judicial Commission clarified that its mandate is specified in Article 175(A) of the Constitution, which allocates the primary responsibility for appointing judges to the Supreme Court, High Courts, and Federal Shariat Court.

The Commission emphasized that it has no constitutional role concerning the transfer of judges.

The written response was provided by Niaz Muhammad, Secretary of the Judicial Commission.

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Registrar of the Supreme Court and law ministry

In contrast, the Registrar of the Supreme Court’s response cited Article 200(1) of the Constitution, which empowers the President to transfer judges.

The Law Ministry reported that on February 1, the Chief Justice of Pakistan was consulted regarding judges’ transfers, and on that same day, he approved the transfers to the Islamabad High Court, sending the matter back to the Ministry for further action.