The Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP) has approved the inclusion of two more judges to the Supreme Court’s Constitutional Bench, bringing the total number of judges on the bench to 15.

The decision was made during a key commission meeting chaired by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Yahya Afridi on Thursday.

According to the official announcement, Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi and Justice Ali Baqar Najafi were added to the bench by majority vote. Justice Abbasi secured eight votes, while Justice Najafi received seven, sources confirmed.

PTI opposes appointments

Sources within the meeting revealed that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) representatives did not vote in favour of either judge. The PTI members reportedly reiterated their longstanding demand to first establish formal rules for the inclusion of judges in the Constitutional Bench.

“If no rules are made first, then appointments should be based on seniority,” PTI members argued, proposing the names of Justice Mansoor Ali Shah, Justice Shahid Waheed, and Justice Athar Minallah as per seniority criteria.

Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhel also supported the PTI’s call for a structured rule-making process before appointing judges to such an important bench.

Full court meeting

A full court meeting of the Supreme Court was held in Islamabad, chaired by Chief Justice of Pakistan Yahya Afridi, according to an official announcement. All Supreme Court judges, including Justice Mansoor Ali Shah and Justice Muneeb Akhtar, participated in the meeting.

The agenda included a review of the fees for lawyers appointed at government expense, as well as consideration of the enrollment of retired high court judges as advocates by the bar council.

The meeting also discussed recommendations related to access to information and reviewed the draft of the Supreme Court Rules 2025. Appropriate directions were issued by the court on the discussed agenda items, the announcement added.

It was agreed that the next full court meeting would be convened soon.