SC senior most judge will be CJP under 18th Amendment, clarifies Tarar

ISLAMABAD: The federal government has clarified the constitutional position regarding the appointment of Chief Justice of Pakistan. Federal Minister for Law Azam Nazeer Tarar said that the senior most judge of the Apex Court will be appointed as Chief Justice of Pakistan under the 18th Constitutional Amendment. Whereas anyone of the senior judges of high court could be made the chief justice by the Judicial Commission. Replying to the issue raised by Opposition Leader in National Assembly Umar Ayoob during the ongoing NA session, who demanded the government to clarify its position regarding the appointment of new Chief Justice of Pakistan. The law minister said that as per the constitution and law, the Judicial Commission and Parliamentary Committee can appoint anyone of senior judges of the high court as chief justice. He further explained that the present Chief Justice of Lahore High Court (LHC) was on fifth number as per seniority list but she was appointed as LHC CJ by Judicial Commission. However, only senior most of the Supreme Court of Pakistan is appointed as CJP under the 18th Amendment. The Opposition Leader in the NA has demanded the government to issue the notification of CJP appointment at once so that the confusion among the people could be ended.