Supreme Court Reshuffles Key Committees Under New Leadership

Chief Justice of Pakistan Yahya Afridi reshuffled the key committees made to perform certain duties after the entrance of new SC judges. 

Restructuring under Chief Justice Yahya Afridi:

After the entrance of new judges in the Apex Court, Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Yahya Afridi has reorganized several committees to ensure better case management and judicial efficiency. On Monday, he issued an official order reshuffling committees responsible for various Supreme Court functions.

Case Management Committee gets a new structure:

CJP Afridi has reconstituted the six-member Case Management Committee. He will lead the committee, which also includes Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan, Justice Shahid Bilal Hassan, and Justice Muhammad Shafi Siddiqui. The additional registrar (judicial) and the IT director will also be part of the team. This committee aims to improve case management and streamline judicial work.

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New Committee to Oversee Model Courts:

A separate committee was created to monitor model courts. Its members include Justice Malik Shahzad Ahmad, Justice Hashim Kakar, Justice Salahuddin Panhwar, and Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim.

IT affairs Committee reshuffled:

The Supreme Court’s IT Affairs Committee also saw changes. CJP Afridi will serve as chairman, while Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar and Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb will be members. This team will focus on improving technological efficiency within the court.

The CJP issued an order regarding miscellaneous appeals and applications under Order V of the Supreme Court Rules 1980. These will be placed before the CJP and other judges. Appeals against the registrar’s order will be assigned to one of the five senior judges.

Justice Hasan Azhar Rizvi will decide on civil case withdrawal applications. At the same time, Justice Hashim Kakar will handle criminal miscellaneous appeals, including cases related to NAB (National Accountability Bureau) objections and non-surrendered accused persons.

Justice Salahuddin Panhwar will handle tax bill applications. At the same time, Justice Shakeel Ahmad will oversee matters related to plea amendments, time extensions, ex-parte orders, and party additions or removals in legal cases.

Security oversight and archives committee:

Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim has been appointed as Supreme Court Security Affairs In-Charge. He will also oversee the security of retired Supreme Court judges. In addition, the Supreme Court Archives Committee has been reshuffled. Justice Hasan Azhar Rizvi will serve as chairman, with Justice Salahuddin Panhwar and Justice Miangul Hassan as members. Yaqoob Bangash has been named curator of the committee.

Supervision of Supreme Court buildings:

A dedicated committee will oversee the management of Supreme Court buildings, including the principal seat, branch registries, judges’ guest houses, and other assets. Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail, Justice Muhammad Shafi Siddiqui and Justice Aamer Farooq are members of this committee.