Pakistan’s opposition nominates members for key judicial body despite power balance concerns
The nominations to Judicial Commission of Pakistan may give government an edge, experts say

Activists of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party of former country’s prime minister Imran Khan, take part in a public rally on the outskirts of Islamabad.
Nominations include members from the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)
Legal analysts suggest that with six government-aligned votes within the commission, the coalition government could gain greater influence in judicial proceedings
In a move that may shift the balance of Pakistan’s judicial system, both government and opposition parties have nominated representatives to the country’s most powerful judicial body, the Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP).
With a government majority in sight, the nominations set the stage for potential new dynamics in judicial proceedings.
The coalition government appointed Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) from the National Assembly, alongside Senator Irfan Siddiqui of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) from the Senate.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), the opposition party led by jailed former prime minister Imran Khan, nominated Omar Ayub Khan from the lower house and Senator Shibli Faraz from the upper house. A female or minority technocrat, selected by the National Assembly Speaker, is also set to join the commission, completing its 13-member structure.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) parliamentary party meeting chaired by Opposition Leader Omar Ayub, October 28, 2024.
PTI Parliamentary Party Media
Under Chief Justice of Pakistan Yahya Afridi, the commission operates on a majority vote basis. Justice Afridi is joined by senior judicial figures, including justices Mansoor Ali Shah, Munib Akhtar, and Aminuddin Khan. The head of the recently established constitutional bench, or the next senior judge if the chair is already represented, will also participate. Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail is anticipated to fill this role.
Composition of commission
The commission also comprises the federal law minister, the Attorney General, a representative from the Pakistan Bar Council, four parliamentary members (two each from government and opposition), and a technocrat with a renewable two-year term. Yet to convene under Chief Justice Afridi’s leadership, this commission plays a critical role in overseeing judicial appointments and key decisions within Pakistan’s judiciary.
Meeting between members of Special Parliamentary Committee to nominate the next Chief Justice of Pakistan\u00a0and PTI\u00a0leadership\u00a0at the speakers chambers, October 22, 2024.
National Assembly Media
Since assuming office, Chief Justice Afridi has pursued efforts to unify the judiciary. A full-court meeting focused on judicial efficiency concluded with judges agreeing on a cooperative way forward. Recently, Justice Munib Akhtar was reinstated to the judges committee under the Practice and Procedure Law, and Justice Mansoor Ali Shah reassumed his role as head of the Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee.
Meanwhile, Chief Justice Afridi scheduled a Supreme Judicial Council meeting for November 8 to address accountability within the judiciary. An administrative meeting to review anti-terrorism courts’ performance is set for November 7, underscoring Afridi’s focus on judicial reform and transparency.
Legal analysts say that with six government-aligned votes—comprising the law minister, Attorney General, two government parliamentarians, a technocrat, and a Pakistan Bar Council representative—support from even one judge would secure a majority for the government within the commission. This potential alignment could grant the coalition government greater influence, particularly as judges remain divided in the wake of former Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa’s tenure.
Comments
See what people are discussing