• Court has 41 judges against sanctioned strength of 60
• Several law officers, advocates already interviewed as caseload mounts
ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice of the Lahore High Court, Justice Aalia Neelum, has initiated the process to fill long-pending vacancies in the provincial high court, as the institution continues to grapple with an increasing caseload and shortage of judges.
According to official figures, the sanctioned strength of the LHC is 60 judges; however, at present, only 41 judges — including the chief justice — are performing their duties, leaving 19 positions vacant. The shortage has significantly increased the workload on sitting judges, contributing to delays in the disposal of cases and adding pressure on the judicial system.
In an effort to address the situation, Chief Justice Neelum started consultations and interviews of prospective candidates for elevation to the bench. Sources said that a number of senior advocates and law officers have already been interviewed as part of the selection process.
Who are in the race?
The candidates who have appeared before the chief justice include Ghulam Sarwar Nihang, currently serving as prosecutor general in the federal capital; Advocate Asad Ali Bajwa; Advocate Kashif Rajwana, son of former governor Rafiq Rajwana; Barrister Zargham; and Amjad Pervaiz, who is presently serving as the Punjab advocate general. Other candidates include Barrister Usman Ghani Rashid, Syed Farhad Ali Shah (prosecutor general, Punjab), Barrister Umer Riaz, Advocate Asad Abbasi, Advocate Shireen Imran and Advocate Masroor Haider Awan, brother of Attorney General Mansoor Usman Awan.
Sources further revealed that two lawyers from Bahawalpur, including Amir Ajam, were also being considered for elevation to the high court.
In addition to the names being examined by the chief justice, the Punjab Bar Council is also expected to forward a panel of nominees to the Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP). Among the likely nominees are Hafiz Ansarul Haq and Additional Attorney General Munawar Iqbal Duggal.
The process of judicial appointments, however, has been facing delays due to recent constitutional and procedural developments. The JCP was expected to convene a meeting last month to consider appointments in the superior judiciary, but the meeting was postponed.
During a recent meeting of the Judicial Commission, which discussed the transfer of judges from the Islamabad High Court to other high courts, it was decided that the issue of fresh appointments would be taken up after finalisation of new rules governing the commission’s functioning.
In that meeting, three judges of the IHC — Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani, Justice Babar Sattar and Justice Saman Rafat Imtiaz — were transferred to different high courts, including the LHC, the PHC and the SHC, respectively. The transfers were part of a broader judicial reshuffle aimed at addressing administrative requirements across the superior judiciary.
Sources said the government had proposed that the next meeting of the JCP be convened only after finalisation of the revised rules, which are being framed in light of recent constitutional amendments. The 26th Amendment brought significant changes to the composition and functioning of the Judicial Commission, altering the balance of representation within the body. Subsequently, the 27th Constitutional Amendment introduced further changes, necessitating a fresh set of rules to regulate the appointment process.
Published in Dawn, May 3rd, 2026
