Islamabad (Web Desk): The Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP) on Friday approved appointment of two ad hoc judges to the Supreme Court (SC) for a period of one year.
According to sources, former SC judges, Justice (retd) Tariq Masood and Justice (retd) Mazhar Alam Miankhel’s appointment was approved in a meeting of the JCP headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa.
The sources added that the JCP approved Justice (retd) Sardar Tariq Masood’s name with a majority of 8-1 as Justice Munib Akhtar opposed the appointment.
Meanwhile, Justice Mansoor Ali Shah and Justice Yahya Afridi opposed Justice (retd) Mazhar Alam’s appointment as ad hoc judge.
Earlier today, it was reported that Justice (retd) Mazhar Alam Miankhel declined to be appointed as the apex court ad hoc judge.
It is pertinent to mention that CJP Qazi Faez Isa had proposed four retired judges including Mushir Alam, Mazhar Alam Miankhel, Maqbool Baqar and Sardar Tariq Masood for appointment as ad hoc judges for three years in the apex court.
In this regard, the CJP had summoned the JCP’s meeting today (Friday).
Earlier, ex-SC judges Justice Mushir Alam and Maqbool Baqar had also turned down the offers for the same position.
The summary, sent by CJP Isa to all JCP members, stated that having perused the Registrar’s note and reviewed the statistics about the pendency of cases it transpired that despite our best efforts the cases continue to accumulate.
“Therefore, because of the huge number of pending cases and the ever-increasing trend of the institution of cases in the Supreme Court, an effective way to ensure that more cases are decided than instituted and to reduce, and hopefully eliminate the cases which are pending adjudication for several years, it would be appropriate to appoint experienced judges as ad hoc judges of the Supreme Court.”
“Such ad hoc judges can only be appointed if three years have not expired since their retirement.
Luckily, we have a number of very experienced Judges enjoying excellent reputations who may be appointed,” it stated.
According to Article 182 of the Constitution; an ad hoc judge shall have the same power and jurisdiction as a judge of the Supreme Court.