ISLAMABAD:
The Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP) has approved by majority vote the confirmation of three additional judgesInaam Ameen Minhas, Muhammad Asif, and Muhammad Azam Khanas permanent judges of the Islamabad High Court (IHC).
The commission has also approvedby majoritythe confirmation of Justice Najam-ud-Din Mengal as a permanent judge of the Balochistan High Court (BHC). However, it has not confirmed the services of Justice Muhammad Ayub Khan, who is no longer serving as a BHC judge.
On Monday, three JCP meetings were held under the chairmanship of Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Yahya Afridi, with various compositions, at the conference room of the Supreme Court building.
The meetings were convened to deliberate on key institutional and policy matters, besides making recommendations for confirmation of additional judges of the IHC and the BHC.
In the first meeting, the core commission constituted under Article 175A (2) of the Constitution, considered issues relating to the criteria for nomination of judges to constitutional benches of the high courts.
It also pored over the procedure for interviews of candidates for judicial appointments, and amendment to the JCP (Appointment of Judges) Rules, 2024, concerning appointments to the Federal Constitutional Court (FCC).
Following deliberations, the commission authorized the committee to examine these matters in detail and to place recommendations before it regarding procedure for interview, and amendments to the rules, ensuring effective and transparent implementation of the constitutional framework.
The committee headed by Justice Aamer Farooq will review the issues and frame the rules.
In the second meeting, the commission considered the confirmation of three additional judges of the IHC. Sources said that during deliberations on the confirmation of Justice Asif, the traffic accident was also discussed in which his son ran his car over two girls in Islamabad in December 2025.
IHC Chief Justice Sarfaraz Dogar briefed commission members on the incident. Sources said IHC senior puisne judge Mohsin Akhtar Kayani appreciated the fact that Justice Muhammad Asif did not use his office or position to influence any official to get relief for his son.
In the third meeting, opposition was recorded to the permanent appointment of Justice Muhammad Ayub Khan of the BHC. Sources said two JCP members affiliated with the PTIBarrister Gohar and Barrister Ali Zafardid not attend the meeting.
Separately, Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) President Haroon-ur-Rashid, along with members of his cabinet, inaugurated the Advocates-on-Record (AOR) and Litigant Facilitation Centre at the SC premises. The ceremony was held in the presence of CJP Afridi and other SC judges.
The newly established centre has been established to provide structured facilitation to Advocates-on-Record, enabling them to effectively guide and assist litigants in matters related to procedural requirements, case filing, documentation, and other ancillary issues.
The initiative is a citizen-focused, one-window, walk-in service designed on a people-first service delivery model, aimed at enhancing institutional responsiveness and improving the overall litigant experience at the SC.
The Advocates-on-Record & Litigant Facilitation Centre is expected to serve as an effective interface between litigants, counsel, and court administration, thereby contributing to a more responsive, transparent, and efficient justice sector, said a statement.
