ISLAMABAD: The Constitutional Bench of the Supreme Court of Pakistan has lifted the stay order on judicial appointments in Gilgit-Baltistan (GB), allowing the federal government to proceed under the provisions of the Gilgit-Baltistan Order 2018.
The development came during the hearing of a series of petitions concerning the mechanism and legality of appointments in GB’s judiciary. The Attorney General of Pakistan informed the bench that consultations had been completed with the Advocate General of Gilgit-Baltistan and that the appointment process would now proceed in compliance with the 2018 order.
Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail stressed the need for equity in judicial matters, warning that any lapse in fairness could create deeper complications. “There should be no injustice. If there is, it will lead to further complications,” he remarked. Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar echoed the sentiment, highlighting the urgency of resolving the issue without unnecessary delay.
In a significant move, the Gilgit-Baltistan government withdrew its petition regarding the judicial appointment procedure, paving the way for a broader consensus between the center and the region’s legal representatives.
Following the agreement, the Supreme Court lifted the stay it had previously imposed on appointments. However, the court has adjourned further proceedings on related matters for three weeks.
