• Bar president highlights positions in Supreme Appellate Court vacant since 2012
• Says delay in appointments increasing backlog of cases, impacting litigants’ access to justice

GILGIT: Vacant positions of judges in the Gilgit-Baltistan Supreme Appellate Court has been causing difficulties for dispensation of Justice to litigants while the authorities concerned have no importance for the highest judicial forum of the region, that has to ensure fundamental rights of two million people.

These views were expressed by newly-elected GB Supreme Appellate Court Bar Association President Muhammad Iqbal Advocate while addressing the oath taking ceremony of the office bearers of Supreme Appellate Court Bar Association.

The ceremony was attended by GB Supreme Appellate Court Chief Judge Sardar Muhammad Shamim Khan, GB Chief Court’s Chief Judge Ali Baig, GB Election Tribunal Chairman Mumtaz Ahmed, Gilgit Session Judge Ameer Hamzaza and others.

Chief Justice Supreme Appellate Court Sardar Muhammad Shamim Khan administered the oath to the newly-elected cabinet of GB Sup­reme Appellate Court Bar Asso­cia­tion office bearers. On the occas­ion, Muhammad Iqbal took oath as president, Advocate Shakoor Khan as general secretary while Advo­cate Zakaria as a joint secretary.

Mr Iqbal said the appellate court has been facing difficulties owing to delay in appointment of judges since 2012. He added the pendency of cases is increasing in the court and litigants are suffering.

Positions of judges at the GB Supreme Appellate Court are vacant for last eight years, he said, adding last month the Supreme Court of Pakistan had directed appointments of two vacant judges positions in GB Supreme Appellate Court. Mr Iqbal regretted that despite the Supreme Court’s directives the two vacant positions have not been filled at the appellate court.

He further said that thousands of cases are pending at the GB’s highest judiciary and litigants are suffering. He said GB Supreme Appellate Court’s Chief Judge Sardar Muhammad Shamim Khan were attempting to dispose cases that can hear only by one judge.

Addressing on the occasion, Chief Justice Sardar Muhammad Shamim Khan congratulated new cabinet members of GB Supreme Appellate Court Bar Association.

The Chief Judge of Supreme Appellate Court said that the main job of both judges and lawyers is to provide justice to the litigants. He expressed the hope that all the officials will perform their duties with dedication and assured his full cooperation to them.

Published in Dawn, June 3rd, 2025