Judicial Commission of Pakistan suggests judges for high court slots

ISLAMABAD: The Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP) on Monday considered the confirmation of additional judges, the extension in tenure of constitutional benches of the Sindh High Court (SHC), and nominations to fill five vacant positions of additional judges in the provincial high courts as well as vacancies in the Islamabad High Court (IHC).

The JCP, by a majority of its total membership, recommended a six-month extension in the term of Justice Khalid Hussain Shahani as an additional judge of the SHC.

However, the commission did not confirm another additional judge of the high court, Justice Syed Fiaz ul Hassan Shah.

The commission, which met under the chairmanship of Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Yahya Afridi in the Conference Room of the Supreme Court, made the decisions after due consideration of the relevant data forms, antecedents, and evaluation of the material placed before it.

The commission held three separate meetings from 2pm to 5:30pm to consider different agenda items. Both Barrister Gohar Ali Khan and Senator Barrister Syed Ali Zafar, who represent the PTI in the Judicial Commission, did not attend the meetings.

During the separate meetings, the commission considered the confirmation of two additional judges, the extension in the tenure of constitutional benches of the SHC, and nominations to fill five vacant positions of additional judges in the provincial high courts, as well as three vacancies in the Islamabad High Court.

The chief justices of the four high courts, along with other members of the commission, had already submitted their nominations to the JCP for the appointment of additional judges in the country’s high courts.

For the SHC, the commission considered the extension of the tenure of its constitutional benches and, by a majority of its total membership, recommended extending their term by three months.

The commission recommended the appointment of Advocate Muhammad Humayon Khan, District and Sessions Judge Suresh Kumar, and Advocate Dr Shah Nawaz Memon as additional judges of the SHC.

Two vacancies, however, could not be filled because the nominees failed to secure the required majority of the commission’s total membership.

Regarding the IHC, the commission recommended the appointment of three nominees as additional judges. They are Advocate Ayyaz Shaukat, District and Sessions Judge Shahrukh Arjumand, and Advocate Umair Majeed Malik.

Regarding the PHC, the JCP, by a majority of its total membership, recommended the confirmation of four additional judges as permanent judges after due consideration of the relevant data forms, antecedents, and evaluation of the material placed before it. They are Justice Farah Jamshed, Justice Inaam Ullah Khan, Justice Sabit Ullah Khan, and Justice Aurangzeb.

Published in Dawn, July 21st, 2026 ...