PTI, two justices ‘boycott’ JCP moot called to appoint judges

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) lawmakers and two Supreme Court judges boycotted the Judicial Commission of Pakistan’s meeting for the appointment of new judges to the apex court.

While speaking to reporters, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan confirmed that they did not participate in the meeting, saying: “The JCP meeting should have been postponed until the cases against the 26th Amendment were decided.”

Gohar also said that once the JCP meeting ends, it would mention that not only did the two opposition lawmakers — himself and Senator Ali Zafar — but two other judges — Justice Mansoor Ali Shah and Justice Munib Akhtar — had also refrained from participating in the meeting.

Days earlier, four Supreme Court judges, including two commission members, Justices Shah and Justice Akhtar, had requested the postponement of the session. Moreover, in his letter, Zafar had also asked Chief Justice Yahya Afridi to put off the meeting.

Barrister Gohar told reporters that the Judicial Commission meeting was set to decide on the appointment of eight judges. He added that PTI had filed petitions against the 26th Amendment, which were still pending.

Justice Shah and Justice Akhtar had also written letters requesting the postponement of the meeting, he noted. Additionally, Barrister Ali Zafar had written a letter making the same request.

However, since the meeting was not postponed, PTI chose not to participate, Barrister Gohar said. “The Judicial Commission meeting is ongoing, but we are not taking part,” he added.

Barrister Zafar, while talking to reporters, also maintained that the meeting should have been delayed until the seniority issue was resolved.

He further said that the seniority matter was also pending, but their concerns were not addressed.

“PTI has already outlined its future course of action,” Barrister Gohar said, adding that they fully supported the lawyers’ protest.

“Our objection was that the meeting should be postponed until a decision on the 26th Constitutional Amendment is made,” he reiterated. However, a vote was held on this objection, and the majority decided to proceed with the meeting, he concluded.

Meanwhile, lawyers are at D-Chowk protesting against the 26th Amendment. The legal fraternity has asked lawyers to gather at the iconic protest site, where they will announce their plans as well.

‘Boycotting is not a solution’
In his conversation with the media ahead of the meeting, PTI’s Senator Zafar had yet again called for the postponement of the JCP meeting until the Islamabad High Court’s seniority issue is resolved.

He said that decisions regarding judges cannot be made until their seniority is determined. He further clarified that he has no issue with transfers but emphasised that the real concern is seniority.

“If [IHC] Chief Justice Aamer Farooq is elevated to the Supreme Court, we need to see who will replace him,” he added. Senator Zafar also mentioned that letters from high court judges regarding the seniority issue have already been received.

Zafar said he would formally request its postponement during the meeting. “Boycotting is not a solution. We must not abandon the field but rather raise our voices,” he stated.

He stressed the importance of collective advocacy, saying: “A unified voice can help resolve these issues.” Instead of boycotting, he affirmed their commitment to presenting their stance to ensure justice for the nation.

“Many bar associations support this stance, while some oppose it,” he acknowledged, adding that they would continue to voice their concerns during the JCP meeting.

“Once the seniority issue is settled, we can proceed with what the 26th Amendment suggests,” he said.

Zafar further remarked: “You cannot simply bring in a judge from another court. Individuals come and go, but institutions must remain strong.”