ISLAMABAD: Amid growing dissident voices from within the judiciary, PTI Senator Barrister Ali Zafar has urged Chief Justice of Pakistan Yahya Afridi to postpone the Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP) meeting until the controversy surrounding the seniority of Islamabad High Court (IHC) judges is settled.
In a letter to the CJP, the lawmaker, who is also a member of the judicial commission, on Sunday expressed concerns over the controversy surrounding the seniority of IHC judges. “Accordingly, this is to request for postponing the meeting of the JCP scheduled to be held on 10th February 2025,” read the letter.
He was of the view that it was deeply concerning that serious objections in writing had been raised by five sitting judges of the IHC and four judges of the Supreme Court over the matter.
“It is also gravely concerning that these objections have exposed the transferred judges to unjust criticism pertaining to their impartiality and integrity,” he added.
Meanwhile, Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) and Pakistan Bar Council (PBC), the apex bodies of legal fraternity, have resolved to support all proceedings of the Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP).
“Once again, we, the elected representatives, want to make it explicitly clear that we will support all proceedings of the Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP),” says a joint statement issued by President Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) Mian Muhammad Rauf Atta.
This statement is jointly issued by the Pakistan Bar Council, the Supreme Court Bar Association of Pakistan, the Punjab Bar Council, the KPK Bar Council, the Balochistan High Court Bar Association and the Sindh High Court Bar Association, Rauf Atta added.
They reiterated that the formation of the JCP is, by far, the most balanced in recent times, and there is absolutely no reason to cast doubt on the integrity or competence of the JCP, its formation, or any of its members.
Similarly, they also approved the 26th Constitutional Amendment and the events that have followed, as part of the Constitution adding that it is incumbent upon every law-abiding citizen to adhere to this framework.
“The decision to call for strikes rests solely with elected representatives, not with unelected disruptive elements,” the joint statement said adding that such elements must be outrightly condemned for their opposition to an independent judiciary fulfilling its constitutional and legal obligations.
They urged the legal community to stand united in support of the rule of law, judicial independence and constitutional governance, and to reject the divisive forces at play within our midst.
They claimed that being the elected representatives of the aforementioned bodies of legal fraternity, they have always stood for upholding the rule of law, independence of the judiciary, supremacy of institutions, and adherence to the Constitution.
“It is with regret that we note certain political factions within the legal community are attempting to create chaos and division to achieve their ulterior political motives and realise their questionable political agendas,” the joint statement said adding that they have issued a so-called call for protest/strike aimed at sabotaging the meeting of the Judicial Commission of Pakistan, which is scheduled to discuss the important issue of elevations to the Supreme Court. They condemned and rejected such calls and assured these factions that their futile exercise, driven by political elements, is destined to fail and will soon be rendered ineffective.
It is pertinent to mention here that meeting of the Judicial Commission of Pakistan will be held here today (Monday) in the Conference Room of the Supreme Court at 2 pm.
The commission will make deliberations over the appointment of eight new judges in the Supreme Court of Pakistan and in this respect, the commission has already summoned nominations of senior judges from all the high courts of the country.
On the other hand, All-Pakistan Lawyers Action Committee comprising former presidents of Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) supported the letter written by Supreme Court’s four judges seeking postponement of Judicial Commission of Pakistan meeting being held today (Monday) in the Supreme Court.
Former Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) presidents included Munir A Malik, Ali Ahmed Kurd, Hamid Khan, Abid S Zubairi, Qazi Muhammad Anwar, Aman Ullah Kanrani and many more.
Senior judges of the Supreme Court including Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah, Justice Munib Akhtar, Justice Athar Minallah and Justice Ayesha A Malik the other day had written a letter to Chief Justice of Pakistan Yahya Afridi to postpone the Monday’s meeting of JCP until the constitutional validity of the 26th Constitutional Amendment is determined by the full court of the Supreme Court.
Similarly, the All-Pakistan Lawyers Action Committee has also announced that lawyers from across the country will hold a token protest march on the Supreme Court today (Monday) adding that this march will demand the rollback of the 26th Constitutional Amendment and a full court hearing of all the cases filed against it by the existing Supreme Court judges, without the inclusion of any new appointees.
Russia could also potentially conduct foreign interference activities against Canada, says Lloyd
Khurram also suggests inducting JUI-F chief Fazlur Rehman or any candidate from his party into federal cabinet
Presidential investiture ceremony was held at Aiwan-e-Sadr in connection with Pakistan Day
MacLeod said several unverified news had gone into public about ban etc but fact was that only review was taking place
Pakistan Development Movement govt as well as current one have held PTI responsible for riots
"Pakistan remains among countries most burdened by TB, but we're also a nation of resilience and hope," says first lady
