Islamabad, December 21, 2024: The Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP) has decided to leave the matter of obtaining intelligence reports of candidates for judicial appointments to the discretion of the commission. This decision was made during the second meeting on rules held in Islamabad on Saturday, as reported by local media citing inside sources.
In a separate development earlier in the day, Supreme Court Justice Mansoor Ali Shah sent a letter to the JCP secretary, calling for a defined mechanism for appointing judges to the constitutional bench, in line with existing rules. Justice Shah also voiced concerns about the practice of seeking intelligence reports from agencies, arguing that involving these agencies could lead to potential misuse.
In line with the new rules, the JCP has removed the requirement for a medical test for new additional judges. It has also made it clear that whether intelligence reports will be sought for candidates will be at the commission’s discretion.
The updated draft also states that three names will be considered for the position of chief justice of a high court, with an explanation required if a senior judge is not selected. For Supreme Court judge appointments, five names will be submitted from the high court.
Additionally, sources revealed that the JCP has extended the tenure of the Supreme Court’s constitutional bench for another six months. The constitutional bench, which was formed after the passage of constitutional amendments on October 21, was designed to empower lawmakers in the appointment of top judges and alter the previously seniority-based appointment process for the chief justice.
The reforms also include the formation of new benches composed of senior judges from across the country, tasked with addressing constitutional matters central to the ongoing disputes between the government and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party in the Supreme Court. A decision was made to maintain the current composition of the constitutional bench, with a vote of seven in favor and six against. Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhel proposed including all Supreme Court judges in the constitutional bench, but the motion was not passed.
