President Asif Ali Zardari today endorsed a significant judicial development, approving the confirmation of 27 additional judges and extending the tenures of seven others across the high courts of Sindh, Lahore, and Peshawar, following recommendations from the Judicial Commission of Pakistan.
The presidential approvals were granted based on the advice of the Prime Minister, solidifying the appointments recommended by the country’s top judicial body.
For the Sindh High Court, ten additional judges have been confirmed for their positions. The confirmed jurists include Mr Justice Miran Muhammad Shah, Justice Ms Tasneem Sultana, Mr Justice Riazat Ali Sahar, Mr Justice Muhammad Hasan, Mr Justice Abdul Hamid Bhurgi, Mr Justice Jan Ali Junejo, Mr Justice Nisar Ahmed Bhanbhro, Mr Justice Ali Haider ‘Ada’, Mr Justice Muhammad Osman Ali Hadi, and Mr Justice Muhammad Jaffer Raza.
Additionally, a six-month extension in service has been sanctioned for Mr Justice Khalid Hussain Shahani and Mr Justice Syed Faiz ul Hassan Shah as additional judges of the same court.
The Lahore High Court saw the confirmation of eleven additional judges. This group consists of Mr Justice Hassan Nawaz Makhdoom, Mr Justice Malik Waqar Haider Awan, Mr Justice Sardar Akbar Ali, Mr Justice Syed Ahsan Raza Kazmi, Mr Justice Malik Javed Iqbal Wains, Mr Justice Muhammad Jawad Zafar, Mr Justice Khalid Ishaq, Mr Justice Malik Muhammad Awais Khalid, Mr Justice Ch. Sultan Mahmood, Mr Justice Tanveer Ahmad Sheikh, and Ms. Justice Abher Gul Khan.
Furthermore, the tenure of Mr Justice Tariq Mahmood Bajwa has been prolonged by six months, allowing him to continue as an additional judge of the Lahore High Court.
In a similar move for the Peshawar High Court, six additional judges received confirmation. The newly confirmed members of the bench are Mr Justice Muhammad Tariq Afridi, Mr Justice Abdul Fayaz, Mr Justice Salah ud Din, Mr Justice Sadiq Ali, Mr Justice Syed Mudasser Ameer, and Mr Justice Qazi Jawad Ehsanullah.
The President also authorised a six-month service extension for four additional judges of the Peshawar High Court: Ms. Justice Farah Jamshed, Mr. Justice Inam Ullah Khan, Mr. Justice Sabit Ullah Khan, and Mr. Justice Aurangzeb.