Five names okayed for appointment as PHC additional judges.

ISLAMABAD: The Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP) on Monday approved five names for appointment as additional judges at the Peshawar High Court (PHC), despite reservations of the superior bars.

According to reports, PHC Chief Justice Waqar Ahmad Seth proposed names of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Additional Advocate General Wiqar Ahmad, Muhammad Naeem Anwar, Ahmad Ali, Tariq Afridi and Sahibzada Asadullah for appointment as the PHC additional judges.

A four-member sub-committee, led by a Supreme Court judge, reportedly raised objection to three nominees' credentials. However, the commission endorsed all the names, recommended by PHC top judge. During the JCP's meeting, both representatives of superior bars opposed a few nominations.

Superior bars have decided to give strong reaction today (Tuesday) to the JCP's decision. During the meeting, the Lahore High Court (LHC) Chief Justice Sardar Muhammad Shamim withdrew 13 names recommended by him for appointment as additional judges of the high court.

Justice Shamim had proposed names of 10 lawyers - Abdul Rehman Aurangzeb, Asif Saeed Rana, Khalid Waheed Khan, Nasir Mahmud, Malik Waqar Haider Awan, Ansar Nawaz Mirza, Zubair Khalid, Khalid Masood Ch, Mushtaq Ahmad Mohal, Ilyas Sheikh, and three district and sessions judges - Chaudhry Humayun Imtiaz, Shakil Ahmad and Safdar Saleem Shahid.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Judicial Council's (SJC) will meet again today (Tuesday) to consider presidential references against two superior courts judges - Justice Qazi Faez Isa and Justice KK Agha. Attorney General for Pakistan Anwar Mansoor Khan has not been intimated regarding today's meeting.

Instead of issuing show cause notices, the SJC has shared copy of references with both judges under paragraph No 8 (3) of Supreme Judicial Council...