The Judicial Commission of Pakistan approved on Monday the appointment of six high court judges to the Supreme Court amid lawyers protest in Islamabad.

Judges elevated to the apex court include the chief justices of the Islamabad, Balochistan, Sindh, and Peshawar high courts.

Chief Justice of Pakistan Yahya Afridi presided over the JCP meeting amidst four top court judges objection. Sources told Aaj News that justices Mansoor Ali Shah and Muneeb Akhtar boycotted the meeting.

A meeting was held to consider the nominations for appointment of high court judges in the SC and, by a majority of its total membership, nominated six judges, said a statement.

The six judges are Justice Muhammad Hashim Khan Kakar, Justice Muhammad Shafi Siddiqui, Justice Salahuddin Panhwar, Justice Shakeel Ahmad, Justice Aamer Farooq and Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim.

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The commission by a majority of its total membership nominated Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb as the acting judge of the SC. His appointment falls under Article 181 (acting judges) of the Constitution and would be formally notified by the President of Pakistan. A separate notification would be issued for his appointment alongside the six permanent judges.

Sources added that CJP Afridi recommended Justice Aurangzeb’s appointment to handle tax cases. But this means he is no longer in the race for IHC chief justice. Unlike ad-hoc judges, temporary judges do not have a fixed constitutional term.

Lawyers’ protest and security measures

Meanwhile, lawyers staged a demonstration near the Supreme Court in Islamabad against the judicial appointments and the 26th Constitutional Amendment. Protesters advanced to the Red Zone and D-Chowk, where they faced police resistance.

Strict security measures were implemented around the SC building, with DIG Security Ali Raza overseeing the arrangements.