QUETTA: The Balochistan Bar Council (BBC) has expressed serious concern and anger over a recent decision of the Judicial Commission to suspend the confirmation of a highly competent and upright judge on the grounds of his brother’s political affiliation.

It also announced a province-wide court strike across Balochistan on Wed­nesday (today) in protest against what it described as the Judicial Commission’s unjust and discriminatory decision.

The council demanded that the Judicial Commission immediately review and reconsider its decision. In a statement issued on Tuesday, BBC Vice Chairman Jadeen Dashti Advocate, Executive Committee Chairman Ayaz Khan Mand­okhail, and Executive Committee members Muhammad Afzal Harifal, Nadir Ali Chhalgari, Najeebullah Khan Kakar, and Rahib Khan Buledi strongly criticised the decision, terming it a clear case of bias, prejudice, and discrimination.

The statement said the judge concerned, Justice Ayub Tareen, enjoys an unblemished reputation for integrity, impartiality, professional competence, and judicial dignity. It emphasised that there are no allegations of corruption, bias, or incompetence against him.

Calls strike today over suspension of judge’s confirmation

Targeting such a capable and honest judge merely because of a relative’s political association with the Pakht­unkhwa Milli Awami Party, the council said, is unconstitutional and unjust, and undermines the independence and neutrality of the judiciary.

The council further stated that linking a judge’s eligibility and competence to the political affiliations of family members promotes the unfair concept of collective responsibility, which has no place in Pakistan’s constitutional and legal framework. Such practices, it added, seriously damage public confidence in the judiciary and are highly condemnable.

Reaffirming its commitment, the council declared that it would not tolerate any compromise on the independence and dignity of the judiciary and would raise its voice against this biased approach at every constitutional and legal forum.

Published in Dawn, January 14th, 2026