ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday dismissed a petition challenging the appointments of Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir and Justice Saman Rafat Imtiaz, rejecting the plea seeking their removal from the bench.

Justice Khadim Hussain Soomro announced the verdict while hearing a petition filed by lawyer GM Chaudhry, who had questioned the legality of the appointments of the two judges.

The petitioner had contended that the appointments of Justice Arbab Tahir and Justice Saman Rafat Imtiaz were made in violation of the established rules and regulations governing judicial appointments. He had requested the court to declare the appointment notifications of the two judges null and void and direct the authorities to remove them from their respective positions.

During the proceedings, the petitioner maintained that the appointment process had not been carried out in accordance with the applicable legal framework and rules. On these grounds, he sought judicial intervention against the appointments. After hearing the arguments and examining the petition, Justice Khadim Hussain Soomro dismissed the plea.

Published in Dawn, September 18th, 2026