Get the latest news and updates from Dawn
ISLAMABAD: The delay in presidential assent to judicial appointments has begun to affect the functioning of the superior judiciary, with the term of an additional judge of the Sindh High Court (SHC) having already expired and four additional judges of the Peshawar High Court (PHC) facing a similar situation within days, despite recommendations by the Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP) for the continuation of their services.
Justice Khalid Hussain Shahani of the SHC was appointed as an additional judge on Jan 29, 2025, for a one-year term. On Jan 22 this year, President Asif Ali Zardari approved a six-month extension in accordance with the JCP’s recommendation, extending his tenure until July 29.
Before the expiry of his tenure, the JCP, at its meeting on July 20, recommended another six-month extension and forwarded the recommendation through the constitutional channel to the president, who is the appointing authority. However, the summary has remained pending with the Presidency and no notification has yet been issued.
With no formal approval forthcoming, Justice Shahani’s term expired on July 29. Despite this, the SHC included his name in the latest roster of judges constituting benches, anticipating that the notification would be issued in the meantime.
