The Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP), under the leadership of Chief Justice Yahya Afridi, has finalized the appointment of 10 additional judges to the Peshawar High Court (PHC) after thoroughly evaluating 40 candidates. The decision was made following detailed deliberations aimed at strengthening the judiciary and addressing the growing number of pending cases in the PHC.
According to sources, the newly appointed judges include District and Sessions Judges Farah Jamshed and Inamullah, alongside other legal professionals such as Qazi Jawad, Mudassar Amir, and Abdul Fayaz. The list also features Salahuddin, Sadiq Ali, Tariq Afridi, Sabit Ali, and Aurangzeb Khan, who have been selected based on their judicial experience, legal expertise, and professional integrity.
During the meeting, PHC Chief Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim actively lobbied for the appointment of a tenth judge, emphasizing the need to fill vacancies promptly to ensure the smooth functioning of the court. However, opposition arose from key Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) representatives, including Barrister Gohar, Senator Ali Zafar, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Law Minister, who expressed reservations regarding the selection process. Despite their objections, the commission proceeded with the appointments, securing approval through a majority vote.
In a separate but related development, judges from the Islamabad High Court (IHC) formally reached out to President Arif Alvi and Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar, voicing their concerns over the potential appointment of an outsider as the new IHC Chief Justice. They emphasized that the position should be given to one of the court’s three most senior judges, in line with judicial norms and established traditions. The letter underscored the importance of upholding judicial independence and ensuring that seniority remains a key criterion in such appointments.
These judicial appointments and concerns reflect the ongoing debates within Pakistan’s legal system regarding transparency, meritocracy, and the independence of the judiciary.
