SHC CJ nominates nine additional judges.

ISLAMABAD -- Sindh High Court (SHC) Chief Justice Ahmed Ali Sheikh has recommended nine names, including one woman, for the appointment of additional judges.

Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial has summoned a meeting of the Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP) on March 16 to consider nine nominees for their appointment as additional judges of the SHC. Currently, 29 judges are working while the total strength of the high court is 40.

It has been learned that the SHC CJ has proposed the names of District and Session Judge Amjad Ali Bohio and eight lawyers namely Mohammad Abdur Rahman, Khadim Hussain Soomro, Arbab Ali Hakro, Jawad Akbar Sarwana, Saleem Akhtar Buriro, Sana Akram Minhas, Rashid Mustafa, and Syed Tarique Ahmed Shah. The SHC CJ has also nominated one woman, Sana Akram Minhas.

Last year, a majority of JCP members did not approve the appointment of seven SHC judges.

Sources told The Express Tribune that serious deliberations are going on regarding the elevation of two high court judges to the Supreme Court (SC).

Currently, two judges' seats are vacant in the apex court.

There is a chance that both nominations can be made on a seniority principle. Judicial members of the JCP have been divided on the appointment of SC judges for the last five years.

Peshawar High Court (PHC) Chief Justice Qaiser Rashid Khan is retiring on March 30 while PHC senior puisne judge Roohul Amin Khan is retiring on March 31.

Strong voices are being raised from the bench and the bar of two small provinces over what is being seen as 'improper' representation in the superior court.

Last year, a delegation of four PHC judges met with CJP Bandial to convey their concerns over the non-nomination of a judge of PHC for elevation to the apex court.

There is also serious concern over the...