New Chief Justices Named for Pakistan's High Courts Amid Controversy

Islamabad, July 8 (PTI) — President Asif Ali Zardari of Pakistan has named new chief justices for the country’s four high courts, including Justice Sarfraz Dogar as the Chief Justice of the Islamabad High Court. This appointment follows recent controversy regarding his transfer.

The decision was made on Monday following a Supreme Court judgment last month, which addressed pleas concerning the transfer of three judges, including Justice Dogar, to the Islamabad High Court (IHC). This controversy stemmed from last year's government decision to transfer Justices Dogar, Muhammad Asif, and Khadim Hussain Soomro from the Lahore, Balochistan, and Sindh High Courts, respectively, to the Islamabad High Court.

Justice Dogar's colleagues voiced concerns, arguing that his appointment as chief justice violated judicial seniority norms. In February, five Islamabad High Court judges contested the transfers, claiming these actions undermined the court's established seniority principle.

A panel of five Supreme Court judges issued a split decision on June 19, with a majority ruling of 3-2 rejecting the petitions. The court found the transfers constitutional, but deferred the seniority issue to the President, instructing him to resolve it according to the law.

President Zardari subsequently determined that Justice Dogar was indeed the senior-most judge. The Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP), which recommends chief justices, proposed Justice Dogar as the new IHC Chief Justice last week.

Additionally, the JCP recommended Justice Rozi Khan Barrech for the Balochistan High Court, Justice Syed Muhammad Attique Shah for the Peshawar High Court, and Justice Junaid Ghaffar for the Sindh High Court. Following these recommendations, President Zardari formally appointed all four justices as Heads of their respective high courts on Monday.

The newly appointed chief justices are expected to take their oaths sometime this week.