To fill the vacant positions and enhance the judiciary's capacity and strength, the Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP)) has recommended the names of three high court judges for elevation to the Supreme Court.

According to the 24NewsHD TV channel, the meeting of the judicial commission was held in Islamabad on Friday.

Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Justice Qazi Faez Isa chaired the meeting and considered nine judges for the positions including six judges from the Lahore High Court (LHC) and three from the Sindh High Court (SHC).

As per the TV channel report, LHC Chief Justice Justice Malik Shehzad Ahmad Khan who is first on the seniority list is recommended for the elevation to the apex court.

Justice Shahid Bilal Hassan who is fourth in the seniority list at the LHC is also recommended for the SC.

The JCP also recommended the third name of Justice Aqeel Abbasi who is the Chief Justice of the Sindh High Court (SHC).

According to sources, the decision to appoint the LHC CJ Justice Malik Shehzad Ahmed Khan to the SC was made by a majority of five members while four members opposed his name.

The sources said Puisne Judge Justice Mansoor Ali Shah, Justice Munib Akhtar, Justice Yahya Afridi, and Justice (retd) Manzoor Malik opposed the appointment while Chairman of the commission CJP Justice Qazi Faez Isa, Justice Amin-ud-Din Khan, Attorney General for Pakistan Mansoor Usman Awan, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar and a representative of Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) Sr Advocate Akhtar Hussain supported the appointment of Justice Malik Shehzad.

The names of Chief Justice Sindh High Court Aqeel Abbasi and Justice Shahid Bilal were unanimously recommended.

Reporter: Amanat Gishkuri