3 judges with diverse legal backgrounds join Islamabad High Court

Islamabad High Court chief justice Sardar Mohammad Sarfraz Dogar recently swore in three new judges, increasing the court's total membership to 10. Three seats on the bench remain unfilled, with replacements anticipated through internal transfers as per the jurisdiction of the Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP). The newly appointed judges are Justice Ayyaz Shaukat, Justice Umair Majeed Malik, and Justice Shahrukh Arjumand.

Justice Ayyaz Shaukat boasts a diverse legal background, specializing in tax, banking, and commercial matters. He has amassed extensive courtroom experience, having represented clients in complex legal disputes before superior courts. Before his appointment to the high court, Shaukat served as the advocate general (AG) of Islamabad.

In March of this year, he was elevated to chairmanship of the Pakistan Social Media Protection and Regulatory Authority. His expertise in public law and commercial litigation is anticipated to bolster the adjudication of both constitutional and civil matters that will come before the IHC.

Umair Majeed Malik, another newly sworn-in judge, is renowned for his proficiency in legislative drafting and various specialized legal domains. In the past, Malik has served as a legal consultant to the National Accountability Bureau from 2002 to 2005. His professional journey also encompasses the oil and gas sector, where he managed petroleum laws, regulatory frameworks, policies, gas sale agreements, employment and labor laws, and procurement contracts.

Moreover, Malik has offered legal opinions and advisory services to the construction industry on laws, rules, regulations, and bylaws, drafting and vetting various construction contracts.

Shahrukh Arjumand is the first judge from the remote district of Upper Dir in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to be elevated to the ranks of a high court judge. Arjumand earned his LLB degree from the University of Peshawar and commenced his judicial career as a civil judge in 2003, subsequently being promoted to the position of sessions judge in 2017. His appointment marks a significant advancement for the legal community in Upper Dir, which has historically been underrepresented in the superior judiciary.