The Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP) has constituted separate seven-member committees to conduct interviews for the appointment of additional judges in the Lahore High Court (LHC), Islamabad High Court (IHC), Sindh High Court (SHC), and Balochistan High Court (BHC). Notably, none of the newly formed panels includes a Supreme Court judge, marking a significant procedural shift in the judicial appointment process.
The committees were notified under Rule 10A of the Judicial Commission of Pakistan (Appointment of Judges) Rules, 2024, following approval from the Chief Justice of Pakistan, who serves as the chairperson of the JCP. The panels will evaluate candidates nominated up to July 4, 2026, before forwarding their recommendations to the full commission.
For the Lahore High Court and Islamabad High Court, the same seven-member committee has been formed under the chairmanship of Federal Constitutional Court Judge Syed Hassan Azhar Rizvi. The panel also includes LHC Chief Justice Aalia Neelum, IHC Chief Justice Muhammad Sarfraz Dogar, Attorney General for Pakistan Mansoor Usman Awan, Senators Farooq Hamid Naek and Syed Ali Zafar, and Supreme Court Bar Association representative Muhammad Ahsan Bhoon.
Separate committees have also been established for the Sindh High Court and Balochistan High Court, both chaired by Federal Constitutional Court Judge Aamer Farooq. While the respective chief justices of the Sindh and Balochistan High Courts are included, the remaining members remain largely the same.
The notification comes after delays in judicial appointments following the 27th Constitutional Amendment, which empowered the JCP to frame its own rules governing the appointment, evaluation, and interview process for judges.
Earlier discussions within the commission considered several proposals regarding candidate interviews. One proposal suggested that the entire Judicial Commission should interview every candidate, while another recommended a smaller seven-member committee to conduct interviews before presenting recommendations to the full commission. The latter proposal was ultimately adopted.
Legal experts believe the new mechanism is intended to make the judicial appointment process more structured and efficient while reducing delays in filling vacant positions across Pakistan’s high courts. However, the exclusion of Supreme Court judges from these interview committees has also generated discussion within legal and constitutional circles.
The JCP’s latest move is expected to play a key role in accelerating appointments and strengthening the functioning of Pakistan’s higher judiciary.
