Judicial Commission Approves Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb as Permanent Supreme Court Judge after months of his temporary posting, marking a significant development in Pakistan’s judicial landscape following the 27th Constitutional Amendment. The commission also endorsed key judicial appointments in Sindh and Balochistan High Courts.
On Tuesday, the Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP), chaired by Chief Justice Yahya Afridi, confirmed Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb as a permanent judge of the Supreme Court. Justice Aurangzeb had been serving in an ad hoc capacity since February after being elevated from the Islamabad High Court (IHC).
Key Appointments in SHC and BHC
The JCP approved Justice Zafara Ahmed Rajput as Chief Justice of the Sindh High Court (SHC) and Justice Kamran Mullahkhail as Chief Justice of the Balochistan High Court (BHC). Candidates were selected from among the three senior-most judges of each high court, ensuring a merit-based process.
The passage of the 27th Amendment and creation of the Federal Constitutional Court (FCC) have reshaped Pakistan’s judiciary. Four Supreme Court judges—Justices Aminuddin Khan, Syed Hasan Azhar Rizvi, Aamer Farooq, and Ali Baqar Najafi—were appointed to the FCC, while Justices Syed Mansoor Ali Shah and Athar Minallah resigned. These changes reduced the Supreme Court’s strength from 24 to 18 judges.
Tuesday’s meeting included top judicial and government representatives such as FCC Chief Justice Aminuddin Khan, Justices Munib Akhtar and Aamer Farooq, Attorney General Mansoor Usman Awan, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, and Pakistan Bar Council nominee Ahsan Bhoon. Parliamentarians Farooq Hamid Naek, Syed Ali Zafar, Sheikh Aftab Ahmad, and Gohar Ali Khan also attended.
Restructuring of Key Judicial Bodies
Following constitutional reforms, key judicial bodies underwent restructuring:
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Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail joined both the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) and the Practice and Procedure Committee.
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FCC Justice Aamer Farooq became a member of the JCP.
The SJC remains Pakistan’s top forum for judicial accountability, the Practice and Procedure Committee oversees bench formation and case scheduling, and the JCP manages appointments across the superior judiciary.