Islamabad, Feb 14: On Friday, President Asif Ali Zardari administered the oath to Sarfraz Dogar as the acting Chief Justice of the Islamabad High Court, a decision that has sparked significant discontent among judges and opposition parties.
Dogar garnered attention last month when he was transferred from the Lahore High Court (LHC) to the Islamabad High Court (IHC).
The elevation has been criticized by judges, lawyers, and opposition factions, as Dogar was ranked 13th in seniority but ascended to the second position in IHC.
There were anticipations for him to become the Chief Justice following the elevation of IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq to the Supreme Court. However, the rise was contested by five IHC judges who disputed Dogar’s seniority.
Despite these concerns, Dogar took his oath in a ceremony at Aiwan-e-Sadr, Pakistan’s presidential residence.
The official notice stated: “President of Pakistan appointed Justice Muhammad Sarfraz Dogar as Acting Chief Justice of Islamabad High Court effective from the day he takes oath until a regular Chief Justice is appointed.”
This appointment was conducted under Article 196 of the Constitution. Fellow justices Mohsin Akhtar Kayani, Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri, Babar Sattar, Sardar Ejaz Ishaq Khan, and Saman Rafat opposed Dogar’s ascent, arguing it violated the established rules for determining judges’ seniority.
The leading opposition party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), has also expressed objections to Dogar’s promotion, as the party, founded by imprisoned former prime minister Imran Khan, fears potential manipulation of cases involving Khan, his spouse Bushra Bibi, and other PTI leaders.
“Justice Sarfraz Dogar’s appointment could influence the hearings of PTI leaders’ cases,” stated PTI Senator Ali Zafar in the Senate.
Separately, Justice Farooq was among the seven judges who were elevated to the Supreme Court, assuming their roles in a different ceremony in Islamabad, where Chief Justice Yahya Afridi administered the oaths. (PTI)
