The Judicial Commission of Pakistan has approved the transfer of three judges from the Islamabad High Court to other high courts in a meeting chaired by Yahya Afridi.
Under the decision, Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kiani will move to the Lahore High Court, Justice Babar Sattar to the Peshawar High Court, and Justice Saman Rafat Imtiaz to the Sindh High Court. The transfers were approved by majority vote.
The commission also ruled that vacancies created by such transfers will be filled through transfers only, not new appointments. Proposals for two additional transfers were withdrawn.
The move follows a recent amendment to Article 200 of the Constitution, allowing such transfers without judges’ consent. The Supreme Judicial Council may take action if a judge refuses transfer.
The decision comes amid ongoing discussions on new appointments to the IHC and reflects underlying tensions within the court, with earlier concerns raised about the constitutional and institutional impact of such transfers.
