Supreme Court of Pakistan suspends judges’ appointment notification

A 3-judge bench of the Supreme Court of Pakistan has suspended the notification of judges’ appointment hours after its issuance by the government on Saturday.

The special bench held a meeting soon after its formation by the Chief Justice of Pakistan and suspended the President’s decision of judges’ appointment, declaring it a violation of Article-177 of the Constitution. Justice Khwaja Muhammad Sharif and Justice Mian Saqib Nisar will continue to serve as Chief Justice of Lahore High Court (LHC) and senior judge LHC respectively, the bench said.

Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry taking suo motto notice of the notification of judges’ appointment Saturday evening formed a 3-judge bench headed by Justice Mian Shakirullah Jan with Justice Raja Fayaz and Justice Jawad S. Khwaja as its members.

Meanwhile, Additional Registrar Supreme Court Qasi Sajid provided the details/ records in connection with judges appointment to the special bench.

Earlier, President Asif Ali Zardari elevated Justice Khwaja Sharif as SC judge and Justice
Saqib Nisar as Acting CJ of LHC through an official notification.

However, Justice Khwaja Sharif and Justice Saqib Nisar refused to accept the decision of the government.

Later, the special bench adjourned its proceeding till February 18.

The 5-member SC bench which had been constituted for taking up the case of delay in judges’ appointment will take the proceeding ahead.

Additional Secretary Law, Attorney Generals of Pakistan and the four advocate generals have been summoned.