In An Unexpected Move SC Releases Audio Of JCP Meeting Discussing SC Nominees

In An Unexpected Move SC Releases Audio Of JCP Meeting Discussing SC Nominees
Following criticism by two senior judges, the Supreme Court (SC) has released the audio recording of a meeting held by the Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP) to discuss the nomination of five judges for elevation to the SC.

The meeting took place on Thursday, and involved Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial — who is also the JCP Chairperson— Justice Ijal-ul-Ahsan, Justice Tariq Masood, Justice Qazi Isa Faez and Attorney General for Pakistan Ashtar Ausaf Ali.

It was revealed on Thursday that the JCP had rejected the five nominees put forward by the CJP and a press release by the SC stated the members had decided to defer the meeting.

"The JCP Chairperson has decided defer the meeting in order to enable the Hon’ble Chief Justice of Pakistan to place additional information and data about those already proposed and if he considers appropriate, add more names to the list of proposees for consideration by the JCP," said the statement.

However, following the issuance of the statement, Justice Isa and Justice Masood wrote letters to the JCP contesting what the official press release had said, and demanded that minutes of the meeting be made public.

As a result of this criticism, the CJP relaxed the rules of the JCP and released the two hour audio recording of the session.

The released audio has stirred up a storm on social media, with many questioning the method of judicial appointment in the country.

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