LAHORE – The Lahore High Court Bar Association and the Lahore Bar Association on Wednesday filed separate intra-court appeals challenging the recent Supreme Court verdict regarding the seniority of judges.
Both bar associations submitted their appeals against the decision made by a SC five-member bench, and asked it that the ruling be declared null and void.
They contended that the verdict undermined established judicial norms and seniority principles. They also asked the top court that the decision that was challenged as well as all subsequent actions taken as a result of the decision be suspended until the appeals are heard and decided.
This legal move reflects growing concern within the legal community over the implications of the Supreme Court’s decision, which has sparked a broader debate about judicial appointments and transparency in the seniority process.
Just a day ago, President Asif Ali Zardari administered oath to Islamabad High Court (IHC) Chief Justice Sardar Muhammad Sarfraz Dogar at the President House in the federal capital.
The oath taking ceremony started with recitation of Holy Quran.
The judges from the higher judiciary, law officers, federal ministers including Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarar, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, senior bureaucrats and others were present there in the oath taking ceremony.
Earlier, the president had approved the appointments of new chief justices for all four provincial high courts, as per official notifications issued by the Ministry of Law and Justice.
The notifications, issued under Clause (1) of Article 193 of the Constitution, which outlines the process for appointing high court judges, stated that the appointments will come into effect once the respective justices are sworn in.
According to the notifications, Sardar Muhammad Sarfraz Dogar was designated as Chief Justice of the Islamabad High Court. Justice Rozi Khan Barrech would take charge as Chief Justice of the Balochistan High Court while Justice Syed Muhammad Attique Shah would head the Peshawar High Court. Justice Junaid Ghaffar was named Chief Justice of the Sindh High Court.
Justice Sarfraz Dogar appointed as IHC’s acting chief justice
