Four ad hoc judges to get permanent positions in high courts

Four ad hoc judges to get permanent positions in high courts

Four ad hoc judges of Islamabad and Balochistan high courts.

January, 12 2026

LAHORE (Web Desk): The Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP) recommended making four ad hoc judges of the Islamabad and Balochistan high courts permanent, signaling a key move in the country’s judiciary.

The decision came during a Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP) meeting chaired by Chief Justice of Pakistan Yahya Afridi. The commission considered performance, background checks, and other relevant evaluations before finalizing its recommendations.

The JCP suggested confirming Additional Judges Muhammad Azam Khan, Muhammad Asif, and Inaam Ameen Minhas of the Islamabad High Court (IHC). Justice Najamuddin Mengal of the Balochistan High Court (BHC) was also recommended by consensus.

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However, Additional Judge Ayub Khan of the Balochistan High Court was not recommended for confirmation by majority vote. Once the President gives assent, the four approved judges will become permanent.

Justice Azam Khan and Justice Minhas were appointed as additional judges to the IHC, while Justice Asif was initially a Balochistan High Court judge before his transfer to Islamabad. His transfer, along with the elevation of Justice Mohammad Sarfaraz Dogar as IHC chief justice, had caused internal tensions in the court, with some judges appearing as private petitioners in related cases.

In 2025, the IHC disposed of at least 16,000 cases. Justice Minhas led with 2,039 single-bench cases and over 500 division-bench cases. Justice Azam decided 1,841 single-bench and 600 division-bench cases, while Justice Asif handled 1,338 single-bench cases.

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Justice Asif is also facing a complaint in the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) related to a hit-and-run case allegedly involving his son. The incident, which occurred in December last year near the Pakistan National Council of Arts (PNCA), resulted in the deaths of two girls. Bail was granted after the families pardoned the accused.

The JCP also discussed key institutional and policy matters, including the nomination criteria for judges to constitutional benches, interview procedures for judicial appointments, and amendments to the Judicial Commission of Pakistan (Appointment of Judges) Rules, 2024. A committee has been tasked to study these issues in detail and provide recommendations for effective and transparent implementation.