JCP approves judges appointment, constitutional bench rules

The Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP) on Friday approved new rules related to the appointment of judges and criteria for nominations to constitutional benches, while deferring consideration of proposed judicial performance evaluation rules for high court judges.

The commission met at the Supreme Court of Pakistan under the chairmanship of Chief Justice of Pakistan and JCP Chairman.

According to a press release, the commission considered five agenda items, including the Interviews of Judges Appointment Rules, the Judicial Commission of Pakistan (Judicial Performance Evaluation of High Court Judges) Rules, 2026, amendments to the Judicial Commission of Pakistan (Appointment of Judges) Rules, 2024, criteria for nomination of judges to constitutional benches, and a proposal from the Balochistan Bar Council regarding substitution of its nominee serving as a member of the commission.

The commission approved the Interviews of Judges Appointment Rules, amendments to the Judicial Commission of Pakistan (Appointment of Judges) Rules, 2024, and the criteria for nomination of judges to constitutional benches in line with recommendations made by a committee constituted for the purpose.

Consideration of the Judicial Commission of Pakistan (Judicial Performance Evaluation of High Court Judges) Rules, 2026, was deferred. The commission decided to seek written comments and suggestions within seven days from the chief justices and the most senior judges of all high courts who are members of the commission.

Regarding the Balochistan Bar Council's letter seeking amendments to rules governing the substitution of a provincial bar council nominee serving on the commission, the JCP observed that the tenure of a member nominated by a bar council is constitutionally fixed at two years.

The commission therefore decided that no rule-making was required on the matter.