IHC Rules Judicial Consultation Mandatory for Judges’ Appointments
ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has ruled that the executive authority cannot make decisions regarding the appointment of judges in the federal capital without consulting the judiciary.
In a detailed judgment authored by Justice Babar Sattar on a petition filed by lawyer Ammar Sehri, the court emphasized that the government must ensure consultation with the judiciary in all judicial appointments to uphold the independence of the judiciary.
The ruling stated that Pakistan’s three pillars of the state — the legislature, executive, and judiciary — are independent and none holds supremacy over the others. Any law or administrative action that undermines judicial independence is unconstitutional and therefore void.
The court further noted that the subordinate judiciary enjoys the same constitutional protections as the superior judiciary. Judges have the right to perform their duties independently, impartially, and free from external pressure.
The judgment directed that the federal government must consult the Islamabad High Court before exercising its powers regarding the appointment of judges. It also observed that judges appointed on deputation from other provinces could affect the autonomy of Islamabad’s judiciary.
