January 10, 2008	Thursday	Zilhaj 30, 1428

ISLAMABAD, Jan 9: The government is busy searching suitable appointees in the newly-established Islamabad High Court (IHC) and the names of Justice Nasim Sikandar and Justice Maulvi Anwarul Haq are being taken to fill in the post of the first chief justice of the court.

A source privy to the development told Dawn that the consideration in the minds among the state policymakers was to appoint serving judges having the requisite experience to man the newly-established institution.

Meanwhile another source told Dawn that Irfan Qadir was also among the probables. Mr Qadir has served as former prosecutor general National Accountability Bureau (NAB) who also pleaded but failed in a challenge against the proclamation of November 3 emergency by President Pervez Musharraf in the Supreme Court.

Through an executive order on the eve of lifting the emergency and restoration of the Constitution, President Pervez Musharraf had introduced six amendments to the Constitution that included establishment of the Islamabad High Court (Establishment) Order.

When established the jurisdiction of the Islamabad High Court will encompass the entire Islamabad Capital Territory, having the same appellate jurisdiction as available to other high courts in the country. The composition of the judges would include members from all the four provinces as it would be an entity of the federation.

Attorney General Malik Mohammad Qayyum on Monday last had said the IHC, which would commence functioning within 10 days, would initially comprise seven to eight judges, including its chief justice but later the strength of judges would be increased.

The source also endorsed that initially all appointments might not be made other than the chief justice as well as a few judges to cater to the requirement. Elevation from the bar may also be a subsequent stage.— Staff Reporter