The Judicial Commission of Pakistan is slated to discuss nominations for the Supreme Court in a crucial session in Islamabad on June 14. Chief Justice Mussarat Hilali of the Peshawar High Court, a well-respected figure in the legal profession, is widely anticipated to be a prime candidate for this esteemed judicial position.
The nominations of Justice Qaisar Rashid and Justice Rooh-ul-Amin, former justices of the Peshawar High Court, will also be on the agenda during this meeting.
In the previous session, six of the nine commission members had advocated for swift appointments to fill the two existing vacancies in the highest court.
Sources disclosed that the nomination of Chief Justice Ahmed Ali Sheikh of the Sindh High Court was unanimously withdrawn. A general agreement to nominate Chief Justice Hilali from the PHC in his stead has been achieved. Her possible appointment is being awaited, with the final decision to be announced in the forthcoming important meeting.
Adding an interesting element to the deliberations, Supreme Court Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial has recently nominated two additional candidates. This move has created a buzz within the commission, prompting heightened anticipation and speculation.
If the commission approves Chief Justice Hilali’s nomination, it will be a landmark achievement as she would be the first woman judge from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to serve in the Supreme Court. This would be a significant accomplishment for the province and amplify women’s representation in the apex court of Pakistan.
Previously, Justice Ayesha Malik set a precedent as the first woman judge to serve in the Supreme Court, breaking new ground for future pioneers.
The country now looks forward to the commission’s decision, which has the potential to redefine the judicial landscape and the pursuit of gender equality in the country’s highest court.
