ISLAMABAD: The Judicial Commission of Pakistan has forwarded the names of three high court judges to be considered for elevation to the Supreme Court, according to sources.
The recommendations are subject to final approval by the Parliamentary Committee.
The JCP, chaired by Chief Justice Qazi Faiz Isa, convened to propose candidates for the vacant Supreme Court seats. The names put forth include Lahore High Court Chief Justice Malik Shahzad Ahmad, Sindh High Court Chief Justice Aqeel Abbasi, and LHC Justice Shahid Bilal.
Chief Justice Isa had called for the meeting to discuss the appointment of three judges to the Supreme Court. The JCP, established under the 18th Constitutional Amendment, is responsible for appointing judges to the superior judiciary.
The commission was tasked with considering nine candidates, including the chief justices of the Lahore and Sindh High Courts, to fill the three vacant positions in the apex court.
Members of the JCP, including several justices, the Federal Minister for Law, the Attorney General, and a representative from the Pakistan Bar Council, attended the meeting.
Currently, the Supreme Court has 14 judges, including the Chief Justice, out of the constitutionally mandated 17. The three vacancies arose due to the retirement of former Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial and the resignations of Justice Ijazul Ahsan and Justice Syed Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi.
The process of nominating and appointing new judges underscores the importance of maintaining the full complement of judges to ensure the effective functioning of the Supreme Court.
