Overview
- The Judicial Commission of Pakistan approved amendments to the Judges Appointment Rules 2024 and adopted new rules to interview and assess candidates for elevation to superior courts on Friday.
- The commission created a seven-member interview committee to vet High Court nominees and said the chair of that panel will be appointed by the Chief Justice of Pakistan.
- The JCP opened a nominations process with submissions reportedly due by July 4 and sources say the commission is considering multiple vacancies across Lahore, Sindh, Balochistan and Islamabad High Courts with meetings expected in mid to late July.
- The commission deferred the Judicial Performance Evaluation Rules 2026 and asked chief justices and senior High Court judges for written comments within seven days while also rejecting a Balochistan Bar Council request to alter the fixed two‑year term of its nominated member.
- The changes follow a recent constitutional amendment that explicitly authorises the JCP to set its own procedures for assessment and interviews and prompted a boycott by two PTI members who cited concerns about executive influence in appointments.