The Judicial Commission of Pakistan on Thursday approved the confirmation of 11 out of 13 additional judges of the Lahore High Court as permanent judges during a meeting chaired by Chief Justice of Pakistan Yahya Afridi.

The meeting agenda focused on deciding the future of 13 additional judges of the Lahore High Court. Sources confirmed that two members belonging to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) remained continuously absent from the meeting.

According to the official announcement, the Judicial Commission approved the permanence of the following judges: Justice Hassan Nawaz Makhdoom, Justice Malik Waqar Haider Awan, Justice Sardar Akbar Ali, Justice Syed Ahsan Raza, Justice Malik Javed Iqbal, Justice Muhammad Jawad Zafar, Justice Khalid Ishaq, Justice Malik Muhammad Owais Khalid, Justice Chaudhry Sultan Mahmood, Justice Tanveer Ahmed Sheikh, and Justice Abhar Gul.

Their confirmation marks a key development in strengthening the judicial capacity of the Lahore High Court.

Two judges not granted permanent status

The commission decided not to make Additional Judge Raja Ghazanfar Ali Khan permanent. Meanwhile, Additional Judge Tariq Mahmood Bajwa was granted a six-month extension, allowing further assessment of his performance before a final decision.

Also Read: 10 SHC additional judges made permanent; two granted extension

The meeting reviewed each judge’s performance, conduct, and overall suitability before reaching its decisions. Sources said the recommendations were finalized after detailed consideration, in line with constitutional and procedural requirements.

Strengthening judicial continuity

The approval of 11 judges is expected to enhance stability and continuity within the Lahore High Court. Legal experts say the confirmations will help reduce case backlogs and ensure smoother judicial functioning across Punjab.

On Jan 13, the commission confirmed 100 additional judges of the Sindh High Court as permanent, while two others received a six-month extension.

According to details, an agreement was reached on the permanent appointment of Justice Miran Muhammad, Justice Tasleem Sultana, Justice Riazat, Justice Muhammad Hassan Akbar, Justice Abdul Hamid Bhurgri, Justice Jan Ali Junejo, Justice Nasir Ahmed Bhanbhro, Justice Ali Haider Ada, Justice Usman Ali and Justice Jafar Raza.

The JCP also approved a six-month extension for two additional judges of the Sindh High Court. The judges granted the extension are Justice Khalid Hussain Shahani and Justice Syed Fayyaz-ul-Hassan Shah.

Approval was further granted for the inclusion of three more judges in the Constitutional Bench of the Sindh High Court. Justice Muhammad Hassan, Justice Usman and Justice Amjad Ali have become members of the Constitutional Bench.

In its Jan 12 meeting, the JCP recommended the confirmation of three additional judges of the Islamabad High Court and unanimously approved making a Balochistan High Court judge permanent, according to an official announcement.

Two judges not granted permanent status

Strengthening judicial continuity

Islamabad High Court judges

Balochistan High Court judge

Amendments to Judicial Commission Rules