ISLAMABAD: Barrister Ali Zafar, a senior leader of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), has been appointed as a member of the Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP), the body responsible for appointing judges to superior courts.

Zafar will represent the opposition in the 13-member commission.

The appointment was made by Senate Chairman Yusuf Raza Gilani following consultations with the Leader of the Opposition.

Zafar replaces PTI Senator Shibli Faraz, who resigned from his position in the JCP, nominating Zafar as his successor in accordance with the directives of PTI founder Imran Khan.

In his resignation, Senator Faraz expressed his commitment to improving the judicial system and upholding justice. He described his role in the JCP as both challenging and significant, emphasizing its importance to the national interest amidst concerns about judicial amendments and the erosion of justice.

However, he cited ongoing legal challenges, including multiple FIRs and what he described as false cases, as reasons for his inability to continue in the role.

Faraz’s resignation follows his nomination to the JCP last month alongside three other lawmakers as part of the body’s reconstitution after the 26th Constitutional Amendment. The JCP, headed by the Chief Justice of Pakistan, includes members from the judiciary, parliament, and legal fraternity. Its responsibilities encompass the appointment of judges to the Supreme Court, high courts, and the Federal Shariat Court, as well as monitoring and evaluating the performance of high court judges.

Separately, Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Ayub also resigned, citing similar legal challenges. In his resignation to NA Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, Ayub nominated PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan to replace him in the commission. Ayub expressed confidence in Gohar’s legal expertise, integrity, and dedication, suggesting he would be a valuable addition to the JCP.