Presidential nod delay hits judiciary appointments

The delay in presidential approval for judicial appointments is impacting the Superior Judiciary, as an additional judge at the Sindh High Court (SHC) and four additional judges at the Peshawar High Court (PHC) have already surpassed their appointed terms. Despite recommendations from the Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP) for these judges' continuance, their terms have expired without formal approval from the president.

The SHC had included the SHC judge's name in the latest roster of judges, anticipating the notification, but the issue remains unresolved. A similar predicament is forming in the Peshawar High Court, where four additional judges' tenure expires on August 4. This comes after the Presidency delayed approval for additional judges at multiple high courts, causing concern in judicial and legal circles.

The Pakistan Bar Council Vice Chairman, Pir Masood Chishti, has stated that an additional judge whose notification has not been issued cannot continue to perform judicial functions after their term expires. The Supreme Court Bar Association's President, Haroon Rashid, has criticized the delay, arguing that the president cannot indefinitely withhold confirmation or appointments recommended through the constitutional process.