ISLAMABAD: In a move seen as a precursor to an expected wave of judicial transfers, Islamabad High Court (IHC) Chief Justice Sardar Muhammad Sarfraz Dogar has reconstituted the court’s key administrative and selection bodies, removing a judge from major portfolios who was transferred to IHC along with him last year.

The registrar’s office issued separate notifications effecting changes to the composition of the IHC’s Administration Committee and its Selection Board for officers.

According to the notifications, Justice Khadim Hussain Soomro, who was transferred from the Sindh High Court along with Justice Dogar in February last year, has been replaced by Justice Muhammad Asif on the Administration Committee that takes key decisions related to the high court. A separate four-member committee, headed by Chief Justice Dogar, has also been notified. It includes Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir, Justice Azam Khan, and Justice Muhammad Asif.

In a parallel development, the Selection Board responsible for the recruitment and promotion of Grade-16 and above officers of the high court has also been reshuffled. Justice Khadim Soomro has been removed from the board, with Justice Azam Khan and Justice Raja Inaam Ameen Minhas named as its new members.

The administrative overhaul comes at a time when the Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP) is expected to formally take up the issue of transferring judges from one high court to another.

Under the substituted Article 200, the president is now empowered to transfer a judge on the recommendation of the JCP, effectively removing the requirement for the consent of the judge being transferred. The amendment also stipulates that a judge who refuses to accept a transfer could face proceedings under Article 209 before the Supreme Judicial Council.

According to sources, at least three IHC judges are likely to be transferred to other high courts. Sources said Justice Soomro himself has sought transfer to his parent high court, the Sindh High Court.

In a separate administrative notification, Noor Muhammad Mirza, who has served under five chief justices, has been assigned a key position at the IHC. Mirza, a BS-21 officer, has been posted to the Chief Justice’s Secretariat. The notification stated that the appointment was made on the recommendation of the newly constituted Selection Board, comprising Justice Azam Khan and Justice Raja Inaam Ameen Minhas, and was approved by Chief Justice Dogar.

Published in Dawn, February 15th, 2026