ISLAMABAD: The Judicial Commi­ssion of Pakistan (JCP) is likely to meet on Monday to complete an unfinished agenda — the elevation of four judges to the Supreme Court.

Headed by Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial, the JCP may consider the elevation of IHC CJ Athar Minallah, Justice Shahid Waheed of the LHC, Justice Syed Hasan Azhar Rizvi and Justice Shafi Siddiqui of the SHC for elevation to the apex court. Presently, the Supreme Court is short of five judges out of a total strength of 17.

The last time JCP met to consider this agenda item, the commission opposed a set of four names by a majority of five to four, but deferred a nomination from the PHC. Three of the four names that will be discussed in the next meeting are still the same as was discussed during the last meeting, save for the omission of Justice Naimatullah Phulpoto.

Published in Dawn, October 21st, 2022