Justice Amin Khan Appointed as Head of Supreme Court Constitutional Bench for Two Months

The Supreme Court’s Judicial Commission has appointed Justice Amin-ud-Din Khan to lead a seven-member constitutional bench for a term of 60 days, with the decision secured by a majority vote.

The Commission convened to appoint judges following the passage of the 26th Constitutional Amendment, assigning Justice Amin-ud-Din Khan from Punjab as the head of the newly established bench. Other appointees include Justice Ayesha Malik (Punjab), Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail and Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan (Balochistan), Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar and Justice Hasan Azhar Rizvi (Sindh), and Justice Musarrat Hilali (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa).

The decision was not without contention; five members, including Chief Justice Afridi, advocated for a full court instead of a seven-member bench. Other dissenting members included Justices Mansoor Ali Shah, Muneeb Akhtar, Umar Ayub, and Shibli Faraz.

According to sources, the Judicial Commission plans to meet again in two weeks to discuss nominations for the Sindh High Court’s constitutional benches. One commission member raised a concern, suggesting that judges with vested interests due to recent constitutional amendments should not participate in the constitutional benches.

Official Statement Released

In an official statement, the Judicial Commission confirmed Justice Amin-ud-Din Khan’s appointment as head of the constitutional bench. Representation from all four provinces has been secured for a two-month term, with the nominations approved by a seven-to-five vote.

During the meeting, Chief Justice Afridi welcomed the members and congratulated them on their nominations. Member Umar Ayub raised a quorum concern, leading to a vote. The majority agreed that the meeting could continue, even in the absence of one member. Discussions also covered the establishment of a Judicial Commission Secretariat, with decision-making authority granted to the Commission’s Chairman.