Supreme Court Upholds High Court Judges’ Transfers and Clarifies Seniority Process.
The Supreme Court of Pakistan issued a 55-page judgment affirming that the transfer of high court judges is constitutional and lawful. Authored by Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar, the verdict clarified that judicial consultation is central to transfers, while the President determines seniority after reviewing service records. The court dismissed petitions challenging the transfers and emphasized that the process does not undermine judicial independence.
Following the ruling, the President confirmed the transfers of Justice Sarfaraz Dogar and two others as permanent, and the Judicial Commission approved the appointments of four judges as Chief Justices of their respective high courts. Intra-court appeals have been filed challenging the Supreme Court’s decision, with petitioners seeking suspension of the transfers and seniority notifications pending a final verdict.
