Judicial Commission approves key rules, constitutional bench criteria

ISLAMABAD, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 19th Jun, 2026) The Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP) on Friday approved key rules relating to judicial appointments, amendments to existing appointment procedures, and criteria for the nomination of judges to constitutional benches, while deferring consideration of rules concerning the performance evaluation of High Court judges.

The meeting of the Judicial Commission was held at the Supreme Court of Pakistan in Islamabad under the chairmanship of the Chief Justice of Pakistan, who also serves as the Chairperson of the Commission.

During the meeting, the Commission considered five agenda items, including the Interviews of Judges Appointment Rules, the Judicial Commission of Pakistan (Judicial Performance Evaluation of High Court Judges) Rules, 2026, proposed amendments to the Judicial Commission of Pakistan (Appointment of Judges) Rules, 2024, criteria for the nomination of judges to constitutional benches, and a proposal from the Balochistan Bar Council regarding the substitution of its nominee serving as a member of the Commission.

The Commission approved the Interviews of Judges Appointment Rules, amendments to the Judicial Commission of Pakistan (Appointment of Judges) Rules, 2024, and the criteria for the nomination of judges to constitutional benches. The approvals were granted in accordance with the recommendations of a committee constituted to examine these matters.

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Consideration of the Judicial Commission of Pakistan (Judicial Performance Evaluation of High Court Judges) Rules, 2026, was deferred. The Commission decided to seek written comments and suggestions from the Chief Justices and the most senior judges of all High Courts who are members of the Commission. They have been requested to submit their views within seven days to facilitate further deliberations on the proposed framework.

The Commission also discussed a letter dated June 8, 2026, from the Balochistan Bar Council seeking amendments to the rules or procedure governing the substitution of a Provincial Bar Council nominee serving on the Judicial Commission.

After examining the matter, the Commission observed that the tenure of a member nominated by a Bar Council is constitutionally fixed at two years. It, therefore, concluded that there was no need for additional rule-making on the issue.

The decisions taken during the meeting are being viewed as an important step toward strengthening the institutional framework governing judicial appointments and the constitution of constitutional benches. The approved rules and criteria are expected to provide greater clarity and consistency in the functioning of the judicial appointment process.