ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Justice Yahya Afridi has convened the inaugural meeting of the Judicial Commission for November 5 (Tuesday), marking a significant step forward after the approval of the 26th Constitutional Amendment.
Sources indicate that this meeting is expected to focus on the formation of constitutional benches. Key attendees will include Justice Mansoor Ali Shah, Justice Munib Akhtar, and Justice Aminuddin, alongside Attorney General for Pakistan (AGP) Usman Awan and Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar. A representative from the Pakistan Bar Council (PBC), Akhtar Hussain, will also participate.
In a related development, National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq has submitted nominations for the Judicial Commission to the Supreme Judicial Council. This comes after consultations with the Senate Chairman and parliamentary leaders regarding the appointment of judges to the superior judiciary.
The nominations include representatives from both the National Assembly and Senate: Omar Ayub from PTI and Sheikh Aftab from PML-N for the National Assembly, and senators Farooq Naik and Shibli Faraz for the Senate. Additionally, Roshan Khursheed Bharucha has been nominated for the women’s seat in the commission.
These nominations were sent to the secretary of the Judicial Commission following the passage of the 26th Amendment, which allows for the inclusion of five parliamentary members, ensuring equal representation from both the government and the opposition. The commission is empowered to appoint judges to the Supreme Court, high courts, and the Federal Shariat Court.
The Supreme Court has confirmed receipt of the nominations, with the National Assembly spokesperson stating that Speaker Ayaz Sadiq acted after thorough consultations with all parliamentary parties
