In a significant legal development, five judges of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) have filed an intra-court appeal in the Supreme Court, challenging a previous verdict that upheld the transfer and seniority of judges within the IHC. The appeal, submitted through senior advocate Munir A. Malik, seeks to overturn the June 19 ruling delivered by a five-member Supreme Court bench.
The judges have urged the apex court to suspend the enforcement of its earlier decision and requested a stay on the judicial and administrative functions of three transferred judges, including Justice Sarfraz Dogar, who are currently serving on the IHC bench.
The contested ruling had not only validated the transfer of judges but had also referred the issue of determining their seniority to the President of Pakistan — a move the petitioning judges now seek to block. They are calling for a halt to any executive action on judicial seniority and have specifically asked the Supreme Court to prevent the President from making any decisions on the matter until their appeal is heard.
Additionally, the petition challenges the Judicial Commission of Pakistan’s reported intention to appoint Justice Sarfraz Dogar as the permanent Chief Justice of the IHC, urging the court to stop the process.
The filing reflects deepening divisions within the judiciary over the process of judge transfers and promotions, with the IHC judges expressing strong reservations about both the legality and transparency of the current mechanism. Legal analysts warn that the ongoing dispute highlights growing concerns over judicial independence and the integrity of seniority protocols within Pakistan’s judicial system.
