Karachi, The Judicial Commission of Pakistan conducted a significant meeting to review and propose amendments to the Judicial Commission of Pakistan Rules 2010. Chaired by Mr. Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah and Justice (Retired) Manzoor Ahmed Malik, the meeting focused on enhancing the collegial and inclusive decision-making process for appointments to the Constitutional Courts of Pakistan.

According to Supreme Court of Pakistan, the committee, which met on 16th December 2023, was tasked with ensuring that the procedure for appointing judges aligns with Article 175-A of the Constitution. The key areas of consideration for amending the 2010 Rules included the process of convening Commission meetings, nominations in the Supreme Court and High Courts, representation of the District Judiciary and the Bar, diversity, criteria for selecting judges, confirmation of Additional Judges in High Courts, and the establishment of a Secretariat for the Commission.

In a move to ensure broader representation and expertise, the co-chairs decided to co-opt several distinguished individuals to the Committee. This includes Hon’ble Judges Mrs. Justice Ayesha A. Malik and Ms. Justice Musarrat Hilali of the Supreme Court of Pakistan; Mrs. Justice Kausar Sultana Hussain of the High Court of Sindh; Ms. Justice Saman Rafat Imtiaz of the Islamabad High Court; and Ms. Justice (Retired) Syeda Tahira Safdar, former Chief Justice of the High Court of Balochistan. Also included are retired District and Sessions Judges Ms. Mahrukh Aziz (Punjab), Mr. Hayat Ali Shah (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Mr. Imdad Hussain Khoso (Sindh), and Mr. Rashid Mehmood (Balochistan).

The Committee also includes legal experts Ms. Hina Jilani, Advocate Supreme Court; Ms. Reema Omer, Legal Advisor, International Commission of Jurists; and Mr. Rafiullah Kakar, a public sector governance expert. Their contributions aim to provide diverse perspectives and specialized knowledge to the rule amendment process.

This initiative represents a significant effort towards ensuring that the process of judicial appointments in Pakistan is transparent, inclusive, and reflective of diversity. The inclusion of female judges and legal experts from various backgrounds indicates a progressive step towards greater representation in the country’s judicial system.