Sindh High Court Grills Petitioners Over Bid to Block Political Interference in Judges’ Appointments

Karachi (Daily Pakistan Online) The Sindh High Court has raised questions about a petition seeking to prevent political interference in the appointment of judges. During the hearing, Justice Junaid Ghaffar expressed confusion about why the petition was brought before the regular bench instead of the constitutional bench. “Why has this petition come to us?” Justice Ghaffar asked. “It should be taken to the constitutional bench.”

The petitioner’s lawyer argued that the notification issued by the Judicial Commission should be declared unconstitutional. However, the court pointed out that the petitioners have two separate lawyers, and requested that the same lawyer argue the case in one petition. The court also sought arguments regarding the jurisdiction of the bench.

The petition alleges that the high number of political party members in the Judicial Commission allows for political interference in the appointment of judges. It requests that only names submitted by members of the judiciary be considered for appointment. The court has adjourned the hearing of the petition for an indefinite period.