Islamabad (Web Desk): Shibli Faraz, a senior member of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), stepped down from his position as member of the Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP) on Wednesday, following a similar move by his party colleague and Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Omar Ayub, just a day earlier.
Faraz's resignation is part of a broader shift within PTI, driven by legal complications that have affected both lawmakers.
In his resignation, Faraz proposed Senator Barrister Ali Zafar as his successor on the 13-member body, following instructions from PTI’s founder Imran Khan.
The JCP plays a crucial role in overseeing judicial appointments to the Supreme Court (SC), high courts, and the Federal Shariat Court, in addition to assessing the performance of high court judges.
The JCP is led by the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) and is made up of a range of key figures from both the judicial and legislative branches.
The commission includes two members from the Senate, two from the National Assembly, and the three most senior judges of the Supreme Court (SC), along with the senior-most judge from the Constitutional Bench.
Additionally, the Federal Minister for Law, the Attorney General, and an advocate with at least 15 years of experience in the Supreme Court, nominated by the Pakistan Bar Council for a two-year term, are part of the body.
This diverse composition allows the JCP to carry out its crucial role in managing judicial appointments and assessing the performance of judges at various levels of the judiciary.
Shibli Faraz had been nominated to the commission after its reconstitution under the 26th Constitutional Amendment.
On Tuesday, Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Omar Ayub also resigned from the JCP, citing his ongoing legal battles as the reason for his departure.
He expressed that the legal challenges were obstructing his ability to carry out his duties effectively and recommended Barrister Gohar as his replacement.
PTI sources have confirmed that party founder Imran Khan has decided to make changes to the party's representatives in the JCP.
As per the sources, Barrister Ali Zafar will now represent PTI in the commission from the Senate, taking over Faraz’s position.
As for Ayub’s position, either Barrister Gohar or Latif Khosa is expected to be appointed in his place.
The sources said that Ayub will resume his position on the JCP once his legal matters are resolved and his bail procedures are completed.
