Islamabad: PTI Senator Barrister Syed Ali Zafar has demanded Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Gulzar Ahmed to postpone the scheduled Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP) meeting for today (Monday). The meeting, set to discuss the elevation of eight additional judges to the Supreme Court, comes at a time when four Supreme Court judges had requested the CJP to halt proceedings until challenges against the 26th amendment are resolved.
In a letter, Zafar, accompanied by PTI’s JCP member Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, emphasized the need to delay the meeting until the issue of seniority among judges in the Islamabad High Court (IHC) is resolved. Zafar argued that if the commission proceeds with the meeting, any judge being transferred to the IHC in the interim should not be considered eligible for elevation to the higher court, as stated in his four-page letter. He indicated that the meeting on February 10 by the JCP may lead to vacancies in the office of the Chief Justice of the IHC, raising questions on which judge would be suitable based on seniority.
Zafar stressed the importance of not only justice being done but also seen to be done, highlighting the recent changes in the list of senior judges in the IHC and the potential appointment of a new Chief Justice having implications on timing and outcomes. He raised concerns that developments could be linked to political motives against PTI’s founder Imran Khan and his family, leading to unlawful consequences. To maintain public trust, Zafar urged the JCP to act with caution, diligence, and transparency.
The senator emphasized the significance of mutual respect among judges, pointing out that recent changes and conflicts regarding seniority in the IHC have sparked protests. He warned that if these changes lead to alterations in the seniority of judges, it could have serious repercussions on their harmony. On the other hand, the PTI has sought nominations from the district judiciary of Punjab for the elevation of four additional judges to the Lahore High Court (LHC) and the deadline for submissions is February 13. The decision was made after consultations between CJP Gulzar Ahmed and LHC Chief Justice Aalia Neelum, however, the date for the JCP meeting to discuss these appointments is yet to be finalized.
