IHC seeks comments in plea challenging appointment of two judges

ISLAMABAD, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 17th Jun, 2026) The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Wednesday granted the Federal government additional time to submit its response in a petition challenging the appointments of Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir and Justice Saman Rafat Imtiaz to the Islamabad High Court (IHC).

Justice Khadim Hussain Soomro heard the petition filed by Advocate Dr. G.M. Chaudhry. During the proceedings, the federal government sought time to file its written reply, which the court allowed.

The court also issued a notice to the Attorney General for Pakistan under Section 27-A, seeking assistance on the legal questions raised in the case.

Directing the Assistant Attorney General to submit a written response before the next hearing, Justice Soomro remarked that the matter would be fixed as the first case on June 30 for detailed arguments.

The judge questioned the delay in filing the government's response, observing that the issue involved a straightforward legal question.

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During the hearing, the petitioner argued that the Islamabad High Court is not a federal high court but a court established for the Islamabad Capital Territory. He contended that since the two judges were not members of the Islamabad High Court Bar, their appointments required judicial scrutiny.

The court observed that a key question requiring determination was whether the two judges were legally eligible for appointment to the Islamabad High Court.

Justice Soomro also noted that the case of judges transferred to Islamabad from other jurisdictions stood on a different legal footing.

Upon the petitioner's request, the court formally sought the Attorney General’s assistance and adjourned the matter until June 30 for further proceedings.