SLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari has approved 10 summaries concerning the appointment, confirmation and extension of additional judges in the high courts, as well as matters relating to judicial benefits and other administrative issues.
The approvals are expected to ease the impasse over the appointment of judges to the superior judiciary. National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq and Prime Minister’s Adviser Dr Syed Tauqir Hussain Shah also played a role in facilitating a constitutional and peaceful resolution of the issue.
Under the approved summaries, the Lahore High Court will get 10 new additional judges, while one additional judge will be confirmed. The Sindh High Court will receive three new additional judges, with the service of another judge extended.
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The Islamabad High Court will get three additional judges. Four additional judges of the Peshawar High Court will be confirmed, while three new additional judges will be appointed to the Balochistan High Court.
The president has also approved a summary concerning the salaries, allowances and pensions of Supreme Court judges, bringing them at par with those of judges of the Federal Constitutional Court. Amendments to the High Court Leave, Pension and Privileges Order, 1997, have also been approved.
The Judicial Commission of Pakistan had recommended 19 additional judges during its meetings held on July 20 and 21. The delay in presidential approval had led to legal proceedings in the Islamabad High Court, where the federal government and the Ministry of Law and Justice were asked to respond.
With the summaries now approved, the latest development is expected to address the issue that had led to the court proceedings.
Separately, President Zardari approved the appointment of Haroon Akhtar as Adviser to the Prime Minister on Industries and Production.
