ISLAMABAD:
A judicial officer, Waseemur Rehman Khan Khakwani, appointed on deputation as the Supreme Court’s additional registrar (judicial), has been relieved of his duties after just five months.
The position of additional registrar (judicial) is considered one of the most crucial in the SC, as the officer in this role is responsible for the fixation of cases before benches.
Sources in the SC told The Express Tribune that Khakwani, a judicial officer from the Punjab judiciary, became “a victim of office politics”. As a result, he requested CJP Yahya Afridi to relieve him before completing his deputation term.
According to insiders, a powerful section within the SC administration was lobbying for the continuation of former additional registrar (judicial) Nazar Abbas, who is currently serving as director general (judicial wing) on a contract basis.
Abbas was initially appointed for six months, a term that ended this month, but he has since been granted a one-month extension.
Nazar Abbas has previously drawn judicial scrutiny. A bench led by Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah issued him a notice for failing to fix a case in violation of a judicial order.
Although the contempt notice was later withdrawn, Abbas filed an intra-court appeal before a larger five-judge bench headed by Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail.
He eventually withdrew his appeal, but the larger bench has yet to issue reasons in the matter.
It is expected that the detailed judgment will clarify that, following the 26th Constitutional Amendment, a regular bench cannot hear cases involving the interpretation of law and the Constitution.
The sudden departure of Khakwani has raised questions within legal circles about why he sought to step down prematurely, especially as the SC had issued a detailed statement at the time of his appointment highlighting his credentials.
“With over 16 years of service, Mr Khakwani brings extensive expertise in adjudicating criminal, civil, and family cases, having served as District & Sessions Judge and Additional District & Sessions Judge across multiple jurisdictions.”
“His tenure includes presiding over trials, appellate proceedings, and supervising subordinate courts, alongside driving judicial reforms and upholding standards of fairness and operational efficiency.”
“Most recently, he served as Senior Additional Registrar at the Lahore High Court, Bahawalpur Bench, where he further honed his administrative and leadership capabilities. In his new role at the Supreme Court, Mr Khakwani will lead judicial operations, streamline case management processes, and support initiatives to enhance the efficiency and transparency of justice delivery. His deep understanding of both trial and appellate court systems, coupled with his ability to navigate complex legal challenges, positions him to contribute meaningfully to policy development and the optimization of judicial services for litigants and the public,” the statement further noted.
Currently, deputationists occupy several key positions in the Supreme Court. The SC Registrar himself is a retired civil servant. This situation has fueled frustration among permanent SC employees, who resent deputationists being placed in top roles.
Three senior permanent officers of the court – Mujahid, Zulfiqar and Safdar — have also been transferred to different registries.
When contacted Supreme Court PRO, he said that Waseemur Rehman Khan Khakwani cited personal reasons for his relieve from Supreme Court.
