JCP likely to meet on July 20 over high court appointments

ISLAMABAD: The Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP) is expected to meet on July 20 to take up a set of pending matters related to appointments and confirmations in the high courts, including the status of additional judges and vacant judicial positions across the provinces.

The commission is likely to consider the confirmation of two additional judges, the extension of the term of Constitutional Benches in the Sindh High Court, and nominations to fill five vacant judges’ offices in provincial high courts. The JCP, headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Yahya Afridi, had already invited nominations for 10 additional judges of the Lahore High Court, five for the Sindh High Court, five for the Balochistan High Court and three for the Islamabad High Court.

Chief justices of four high courts and other members of the commission have submitted names for appointment as additional judges in different high courts. For the Sindh High Court, the JCP has received 35 nominations for five judges’ offices. It is also set to consider names for elevation as additional judges to fill three positions in the Islamabad High Court.

In the Peshawar High Court, the commission will consider the confirmation of four additional judges. It will also review the confirmation of one additional judge in the Lahore High Court and take up other nominations for 10 vacancies there. 24 nominations have been received for the Lahore High Court, while names for the Balochistan High Court are also expected to come under consideration at the meeting.