The Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP) on Tuesday officially extended the term of the constitutional benches of the Sindh High Court (SHC) by one year. The high-level meeting of the JCP was held at the Supreme Court of Pakistan and was presided over by Chief Justice of Pakistan Yahya Afridi, who serves as the chairman of the commission.
During the proceedings, the primary agenda item regarding the extension of the term of the SHC's constitutional benches was taken up for deliberation. The commission re-nominated all existing judges currently serving on the constitutional benches and formally extended their tenure by one year, passing the motion through a decisive majority vote of 14 to one.
A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to administrative and oversight matters. The secretary placed before the commission a formal complaint filed by Capt (retd) Muhammad Safdar Awan against Ahsan Bhoon.
The complaint sought an urgent verification and a comprehensive inquiry into the educational qualifications, enrollment status, and professional credentials of Ahsan Bhoon, who is a sitting member of the Judicial Commission of Pakistan. The secretary informed the commission members that the complaint had already been referred to the secretary of the Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) for official comments and review.
In response to the allegations raised in the complaint, it was clarified that the degree of Ahsan Bhoon, an advocate and a returned candidate, had been verified twice by the returning officer - the Attorney General for Pakistan - in connection with the elections to the Pakistan Bar Council.
Records indicate that the verification process occurred first in 2021 and subsequently in 2026. On both occasions, the University of the Punjab officially verified the degree as genuine and authentic, effectively dismissing the concerns raised regarding his academic credentials.
The meeting also marked a notable attendance, as Pakistan People's Party (Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP)) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari participated in the proceedings. Bilawal Bhutto Zardari was recently inducted as a member of the Judicial Commission, signaling a broader political representation within the judicial oversight body.
The decision to extend the constitutional benches is viewed as a move to ensure continuity in the judicial process within the Sindh High Court. Legal experts suggest that maintaining the current composition of these benches will help in the timely disposal of pending constitutional petitions.
The JCP remains the primary body responsible for judicial appointments and the oversight of constitutional benches across the country. The commission's ability to resolve internal complaints while maintaining its administrative schedule reflects its ongoing commitment to transparency.
As the session concluded, the commission reaffirmed its dedication to upholding the integrity of the legal profession. The members emphasized that all future inquiries would be handled with the same level of scrutiny to maintain public trust in the judicial system.
The proceedings ended with a consensus on the importance of the constitutional benches in safeguarding the fundamental rights of citizens, ensuring that the judicial machinery continues to function without unnecessary delays or administrative hurdles.