Balochistan HC Suspends Notification Granting “Justice of Peace” Powers to Commissioners and Deputy Commissioners

**Quetta (Daily Qudrat):** The **Balochistan High Court** has issued an interim stay on the provincial government’s notification granting **“Justice of Peace” powers** to divisional commissioners, additional commissioners, deputy commissioners, additional deputy commissioners, and assistant commissioners across the province.

A two-member bench, headed by **Chief Justice Muhammad Kamran Khan Malakhel** and **Justice Gul Hassan Tarin**, heard constitutional petitions challenging the notification. The petitions, filed by advocates **Rahib Khan Bileydi**, **Iftikhar Ahmed Lango**, and **Abdul Basir Kakr**, argued that the notification was issued unilaterally without the approval of the **Chief Justice of Balochistan**, violating **Article 175(3) of the Constitution**, which ensures the separation of judiciary and executive powers.

The petitioners contended that under **Articles 202 and 203 of the Constitution** and **Section 25 of the Cr.P.C**, session judges and additional session judges are already performing the duties of Justices of Peace. Granting such powers to executive officers, they argued, creates a parallel judicial system, undermining judicial independence.

After hearing preliminary arguments, the court deemed the legal questions substantial and **issued notices to the respondents**, suspending the contentious notification **until further hearings**. Notices were also ordered for related CMA petitions, and the court directed copies of the order to be sent to the respondents and the **Advocate General Balochistan**. The next hearing was scheduled to take place immediately after the winter judicial recess.