QUETTA:In a major development for the judiciary of Balochistan, the Judicial Commission of Pakistan has approved the appointment of three additional judges for the Balochistan High Court.
During a crucial session of the Judicial Commission, key decisions were finalized regarding the high court appointments.
Abdul Qayyum Lehri, Allah Dad Roshan, and Rauf Atta were approved for appointment as additional judges.
The meeting also involved a review of the names of 20 candidates for positions within the Balochistan High Court.
Officials noted that these appointments will help expedite the resolution of pending cases across the province. Formal notifications will be issued following the completion of final administrative procedures.
Balochistan Judicial History and Appointments
The history of the judiciary in Balochistan reflects a steady evolution from colonial-era administrative frameworks to an independent institutional setup. Prior to the establishment of a formal provincial high court, justice across the region was administered by a Judicial Commissioner. Following structural changes, a joint high court for the provinces of Sindh and Balochistan functioned until November 1976.
The High Court of Balochistan was formally established as an independent institution on December 1, 1976, with Justice Khuda Bakhsh Marri taking charge as its first Chief Justice alongside a small initial bench. Operating initially with a modest judicial strength, the court gradually expanded its capacity to address the legal needs of Pakistan’s largest province by land area.
Over the decades, the bench has grown significantly, navigating various political phases, constitutional amendments, and provisional constitutional orders (PCOs).
A monumental shift in the appointment process of superior judiciary judges occurred nationwide with the passage of the 18th Constitutional Amendment in 2010, which established the Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP).
Designed to ensure a transparent, participatory, and consultative mechanism, the JCP is tasked with vetting and nominating qualified candidates for vacancies in the Supreme Court, Federal Shariat Court, and provincial high courts, including the Balochistan High Court.
Today, the Judicial Commission plays a pivotal role in shaping the composition of the Balochistan judiciary, ensuring that judicial appointments are made to strengthen institutional capacity, reduce case backlogs, and uphold the rule of law in the region.
