Bilawal eyed for JCP seat as two members resign

Bilawal eyed for JCP seat as two members resign

Two members representing the treasury benches on the Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP) have resigned, potentially paving the way for changes in the commission’s parliamentary representation.

PPP Senator Farooq H Naek and PML-N MNA Sheikh Aftab have stepped down from the JCP, according to sources. The resignations could lead to a reshuffle of the commission’s parliamentary members, with PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari emerging as a possible replacement.

Sources within the JCP said Bilawal has shown interest in joining the commission. He currently serves as a member of the National Assembly.

Under the expected new arrangement, the PPP may receive representation through the National Assembly, while the PML-N could nominate a member from the Senate.

The development comes amid reported concerns within the PPP leadership over the commission’s recent decisions regarding appointments to the superior judiciary. The party had sought the appointment of several candidates it supported, particularly for the Sindh High Court (SHC).

Farooq H Naek, a senior PPP legal figure and outgoing JCP member, had put forward 33 candidates for judicial appointments. His nominations included 16 candidates for the SHC, 10 for the Lahore High Court (LHC), five for the Balochistan High Court (BHC) and two for the Islamabad High Court (IHC).

The PPP leadership had a particular interest in securing the appointment of two of its nominees to the SHC. However, neither the judicial nor executive members of the commission backed their nominations.

The latest resignations could therefore alter the political representation within the JCP and potentially influence the party balance in future proceedings concerning judicial appointments.