The Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP) has approved the transfer of three judges of the Islamabad High Court to other high courts by majority vote.
The meeting was held at the Supreme Court of Pakistan under the chairmanship of Chief Justice of Pakistan Yahya Afridi.
The commission approved the transfer of Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani to the Lahore High Court. It also approved the transfer of Justice Saman Riffat Imtiaz to the Sindh High Court. Justice Babar Sattar was transferred to the Peshawar High Court.
Transfers approved by majority vote
The Judicial Commission approved the transfers by majority vote.
Sources said the meeting on the transfer to the Lahore High Court concluded first, after which a second meeting on the transfer of judges to the Peshawar High Court began.
The meeting was chaired by Chief Justice Yahya Afridi.
Recommendations for two judges withdrawn
The recommendation for the transfer of Justice Arbab Tahir was withdrawn. The recommendation for the transfer of Justice Khadim Soomro was also withdrawn.
According to the announcement, requests for the transfer of two judges were taken back during the proceedings.
The announcement said transfer proposals were discussed under Article 200 of the Constitution. The chief justices of the concerned high courts also attended the meeting.
According to the announcement, the Judicial Commission meeting was requisitioned by the secretary after the chief justice refused to convene the meeting.
Vacant posts to be filled only through transfers
The commission also decided that vacant posts created by the transfers will not be used for new appointments. According to the announcement, these vacancies will be filled only through transfers.
Sources said no new appointments will be made against the three posts.
