Archive · 19 Jun 2025
Pakistan's Supreme Court Upholds Judges Transfer
Imagine a team of judges in Pakistan.
Some judges were moved to a different court, and other judges didn't like it because they thought the move was unfair and affected who got to be the head judge.
The Supreme Court, the highest court, heard the case.
Some judges on the Supreme Court agreed that the transfers were okay, and some disagreed.
The court said the move itself was fine, but the Supreme Court told the President of Pakistan to decide who should be senior in the new court.
Pakistan's Supreme Court rejected petitions against the transfer of three high court judges.
The transfer of judges was challenged by five Islamabad High Court (IHC) judges, Imran Khan, and the Karachi Bar Association.
The Supreme Court's decision ensured the continuity of one judge as the chief justice of the IHC.
A five-member panel delivered a split 3-2 judgment to reject the petitions.
The court ruled the transfer was constitutional but referred the seniority issue to the president.
- Who
- The Supreme Court, five judges of the Islamabad High Court, former prime minister Imran Khan, and the Karachi Bar Association.
- What
- The Supreme Court rejected petitions against the transfer of three high court judges.
- When
- The ruling was announced on Thursday, June 19.
- Where
- Pakistan's Supreme Court and the Islamabad High Court.
- Why
- The case concerned the legality of judges' transfers and the issue of seniority.
Those Challenging the Transfers
Those Supporting the Transfers
Transfer Legality
Those Challenging the Transfers
The transfer of judges compromised the principle of seniority, which affected their positions.
Those Supporting the Transfers
The Supreme Court ruled the transfer as per the constitution.
Seniority Impact
Those Challenging the Transfers
Disagreed with the implications for seniority.
Those Supporting the Transfers
Believed the transfers were legally sound.
- Court
- Pakistan's Supreme Court
- Judges Involved
- Justices Dogar, Asif, Soomro (transferred), Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kiyani, Justice Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri, Justice Babar Sattar, Justice Sardar Ejaz Ishaq Khan, Justice Saman Riffat Imtiaz.
- Decision
- Petitions rejected
- Ruling Split
- 3-2
- Seniority Issue
- To be decided by the President of Pakistan.