This photo shows Justice Mohammad Ali Mazhar. Photo courtesy Sindh High Court website
ISLAMABAD: By a majority of five to four, the Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP) on Wednesday approved the elevation of a judge who was fifth on the seniority list of Sindh High Court to the Supreme Court.
The decision drew strong reaction from the premier lawyers’ body, the Pakistan Bar Council (PBC), which called a general body meeting of all provincial bar councils and associations on Aug 5.
During the over-two-hour-long session, which was presided over by Chief Justice of Pakistan Gulzar Ahmed, the JCP finally gave the nod to the nomination of Justice Mohammad Ali Mazhar in a tense atmosphere to fill the vacant position of the SC judge.
Under the rules, the Judicial Commission can recommend the appointment of ad hoc judges in the Supreme Court after its sanctioned strength of 17 judges is complete. AFP/File
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) has issued a countrywide strike call for Wednesday (July 28) to protest the summoning of the Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP) to take up for a second time the elevation of Justice Mohammad Ali Mazhar of the Sindh High Court (SHC) for filling the remaining vacant office of a judge in the Supreme Court.
In addition, Khushdil Khan, the PBC vice chairman, summoned an emergent meeting for Tuesday (today) to consider names for representing it at JCP meetings.
A judge from Balochistan is being elevated to the Supreme Court after seven years, the last being Justice Qazi Faez Isa. Photo courtesy BHC website
ISLAMABAD: The Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP) on Tuesday recommended elevation of Balochistan High Court’s Chief Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhel to fill the vacant office of judge in the Supreme Court but deferred the case of Justice Mohammad Ali Mazhar of the Sindh High Court (SHC).
Although a judge from Balochistan is being elevated to the Supreme Court after seven years, the last being Justice Qazi Faez Isa, the case of the SHC judge was deferred because of concerns expressed by different bar councils and bar associations since he was fifth on the seniority list.
In this file photo, Chief Justice of Pakistan Gulzar Ahmed chairs a meeting of the National Judicial (Policy Making) Committee (NJPMC) at the Supreme Court building. PID/File
ISLAMABAD: The Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP) is expected to meet on July 5 to consider the elevation of Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhel, the Balochistan High Court’s Chief Justice, and Justice Mohammad Ali Mazhar of the Sindh High Court to fill the vacant offices of judges in the Supreme Court.
Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Justice Gulzar Ahmed will preside over the meeting.
The two offices fell vacant after Justice Faisal Arab reached superannuation on Nov 4 last year and Justice Manzoor Ahmad Malik on April 30 this year. With the appointment of two judges, the Supreme Court will reach its stipulated strength of 17 judges.