The Supreme Court’s constitutional bench has announced its reserved verdict in the judges’ transfer case, ruling that the transfer of judges is not unconstitutional.
The five-member bench, headed by Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar, concluded hearings on the case earlier.
Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar, Justice Shahid Bilal, and Justice Safdar Ali Shah Panwar agreed in the majority judgment, declaring that judges’ transfers are not unconstitutional.
Justice Mazhar announced the brief verdict, with the court rejecting the petitions related to judges’ seniority and transfers by a 3-2 majority.
During the proceedings, PTI founder Imran Khan’s lawyer, Idrees Ashraf, argued that Articles 200 and 175 of the Constitution should be interpreted harmoniously, as they appear to be in conflict.
Justice Mazhar remarked that the Judicial Commission has no authority over transfers. The lawyer responded that permanent transfers cannot be made to vacant judicial seats.
The Attorney General informed the court that a senior judge (ranked 3rd in Islamabad High Court) is enrolled with the Islamabad Bar Council.
Justice Naeem Afghan asked whether any past examples existed of judges being transferred under Article 200.