The Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP) on Tuesday approved the appointments of permanent chief justices for four high courts.
The JCP meeting, headed by Chief Justice Yahya Afridi, convened to consider the nominations for high court appointments. The top judicial body approved Justice Atiq Shah as the new chief justice of the Peshawar High Court, while Justice Rozi Khan has been endorsed for the top post at the Balochistan High Court.
Justice Junaid Ghaffar, the senior-most judge of the Sindh High Court, has been elevated as its new chief justice.
In addition, Justice Sarfraz Dogar has been approved as the permanent chief justice of the Islamabad High court.
Justice Atiq Shah’s nomination was endorsed by 11 of the 16 members of the commission. He is currently the second most senior judge at the PHC.
However, Supreme Court judges Justice Mansoor Ali Shah and Justice Muneeb Akhtar opposed his nomination. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s law minister and two members affiliated with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf also expressed their dissent.
The JCP has formally notified the Prime Minister’s Office of its approval for the appointment of permanent chief justices for four high courts.
