LHC’s Justice Najafi gets president’s nod for appointment to SC

President Asif Ali Zardari has approved the appointment of Lahore High Court (LHC) Justice Ali Baqar Najafi to the Supreme Court of Pakistan, following the Judicial Commission of Pakistan’s (JCP) nomination. This decision, formalized through a notification by the Ministry of Law and Justice, was made under Articles 177(1) and 175A(8) of the Constitution. Despite being third in seniority among LHC judges, Justice Najafi was selected over others, including Chief Justice Alia Neelum and Senior Puisne Judge Shujaat Ali Khan. Previously, concerns about his integrity had been raised, notably regarding a withdrawn request for special protocol for his son at international airports. Nonetheless, the JCP proceeded with his nomination, and he will assume his Supreme Court duties upon taking the oath of office.