Islamabad: Federal Ministry of Law and Justice has issued a notification for the transfer of three judges from Sindh, Lahore, and Balochistan High Courts to Islamabad High Court. According to the notification, Justice Sarfraz Dogar has been transferred from Lahore High Court to Islamabad High Court, while Justice Khadim Hussain Sumro from Sindh High Court and Justice Mohammad Asif from Balochistan High Court have also been exchanged. Sources indicate that Justice Sarfraz Dogar will become the senior-most judge in Islamabad High Court after Chief Justice Aamer Farooq. Justice Mohammad Asif had recently been appointed as an additional judge, while Justice Khadim Hussain Sumro became a High Court judge two years ago. As per the seniority list of Islamabad High Court, Justice Khadim Hussain is senior to Justice Tham Rafaat. On the other hand, judges of Islamabad High Court have written a letter to Chief Justice of Pakistan, Yahya Afridi, requesting not to transfer judges from other High Courts and not to appoint them as Chief Justices. The judges have also demanded that the Chief Justice should be selected from within the three senior judges of Islamabad High Court. The letter clearly states that meaningful consultation is essential for the exchange of judges from other High Courts and the reasons for these exchanges should also be provided. The judges have reminded that the number of pending cases in Islamabad High Court is lower compared to Lahore High Court, hence it is not justifiable to transfer judges from here. Furthermore, the judges have stated that if any judge is brought from Lahore High Court to Islamabad High Court to be made Chief Justice, it would be a violation of the constitution. The letter also mentions that the process of exchange should take place under Article 200 of the constitution without any alterations. A copy of this letter has also been sent to the President of Pakistan, in which the judges have requested the protection of constitutional and judicial freedoms. This situation reflects the ongoing tensions in Pakistan’s judiciary, which could lead to further complications in the future.
Federal Ministry Issues Notification for Transfer of Judges to Islamabad High Court
