ISLAMABAD: The federal government has filed its formal response with the Supreme Court in the ongoing case regarding the seniority and transfer of judges, including those assigned to the Islamabad High Court (IHC).
In its submission, the government has requested the court to reject all petitions challenging these judicial transfers, maintaining that the actions were carried out in full compliance with constitutional provisions.
Rejecting the claim that the transfers were “temporary,” the government maintained that the Constitution contains no such categorization, and all transfers are conducted under established legal frameworks.
The government emphasized that the transfers were implemented to promote transparency and strengthen the judicial system, and that they do not compromise judicial independence.
The response also noted that the Judicial Commission had recently appointed two judges to the IHC, while three seats remain vacant. It added that the Law Ministry had submitted a summary on January 28 proposing the transfer of judges to address these vacancies.
The government clarified that while the President’s role in such matters is limited, the chief authority lies with the Chief Justice of Pakistan, in consultation with the judge concerned and the chief justices of the respective high courts.
