ISLAMABAD: Amid criticism by the main opposition party, PTI, Pre­sident Asif Ali Zardari approved the appointment of two ad hoc jud­ges to the Supreme Court on Friday.

A statement issued by the Presidency said that the approval had been accorded to the names of ret­ired justices Sardar Tariq Masood and Mazhar Alam Khan Miankhel.

They will become ad hoc judges of the Supreme Court for one year.

Their appointment has been made under Article 182 of the Constitution, which outlines the process to appoint ad hoc judges.

The Judicial Commission of Pak­istan had already approved the appointment of the two retired judges earlier this month.

The former justices have been added to the Supreme Court — with 17 sitting judges — to help clear the backlog of cases.

Initially, Chief Justice of Pakis­tan Qazi Faez Isa had recomme­n­ded the appointment of four retired justices — Mushir Alam, Maqbool Ba­­qar, Mazhar Alam Miankhel and Sar­dar Tariq Masood — as ad hoc judges.

Later, ex-justices Alam and Baqar expressed their inability to accept the offer.

Justice Miankhel was also reluctant initially but later accepted the position.

The most vociferous criticism against the appointment of ex-judges to the Supreme Court came from PTI.

The party’s chairman, Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, rejected the move and termed the appointment of ad hoc judges mala fide.

“In order to induct like-minded judges, four judges are being appointed at the same time during the vacations,” he said, adding that his party will move the Supreme Judicial Council on the issue.

Published in Dawn, July 27th, 2024