Appointment of judges: petition filed in SC challenges authority of CJP, CJs of HCs

A constitutional petition has been filed before the Supreme Court (SC) challenging authority of the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) and chief justices of high courts to initiate names for appointment of judges in apex court.
Pakistan Lawyers Forum through its president A K. Dogar advocate has questioned holding Judicial Commission's proceedings in-camera on the ground that it is against article 19-A of the constitution and principle of transparency. He also questioned rule 8 of Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JC) Rules 2010, which empowers chairman of JC to relax these rules. He said many petitions are pending in SC challenging new method of judges' appointments. No final order has yet been announced. Meanwhile, Judicial Commission has been constituted, which has framed rules.