Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui, a former judge of the Islamabad High Court (IHC), has been appointed as the chairman of the National Industrial Relations Commission (NIRC) for a three-year term. His appointment was formalized on Monday following approval by the federal cabinet.
This marks a significant development months after former President Asif Ali Zardari endorsed Siddiqui’s retirement notification, as directed by a Supreme Court ruling earlier this year.
Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui was removed from his position at the IHC in October 2018 by then-President Arif Alvi, acting on a recommendation by the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC). The council found him guilty of “conduct unbecoming of a judge” after a controversial speech he delivered at the Rawalpindi District Bar Association. In his address, Siddiqui alleged interference in judicial matters by military officials, including then-Major General Faiz Hamid. He claimed they sought specific outcomes in high-profile cases, including the Faizabad sit-in and cases involving Nawaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz.
The allegations prompted the army to request the Supreme Court to investigate. The SJC concluded its proceedings and recommended Siddiqui’s removal under Article 209(6) of the Constitution.
In March 2024, the Supreme Court overturned Siddiqui’s dismissal, ruling it illegal. A five-member bench led by Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa issued a 23-page judgment, criticizing the SJC for assuming the truth of Siddiqui’s allegations was irrelevant. The court directed that Siddiqui be considered a retired judge.
Following this decision, Siddiqui’s new role as NIRC chairman signals a comeback in his professional journey, underscoring the impact of the judiciary’s ruling on his career trajectory.
