Punjab lower judiciary witnesses major transfers and postings of judges

Lahore: In a significant overhaul of Punjab’s district judiciary, as many as 48 district and sessions judges have been transferred in a widespread reshuffling.

The judges from Rawalpindi, Lahore, Sargodha, and Gujranwala, who were presiding over cases related to the May 9 incidents, have also been reassigned. Media reports indicate that prosecutors have raised concerns regarding these transfers.

The official notification was issued in this regard.

Despite the movement of judges, no new appointments have been made to the Anti-Terrorism Courts (ATCs) handling these sensitive cases.

In Rawalpindi, Malik Ejaz Asif, the judge presiding over 14 May 9-related cases in the Anti-Terrorism Court, has been transferred from Rawalpindi to Lahore. This transfer occurred after prosecutors expressed objections about his conduct in the cases. Judge Asif was instructed to relinquish his duties immediately, which he promptly did. However, a new judge for the Anti-Terrorism Court in Rawalpindi has yet to be appointed.

Moreover, the District and Sessions Judges of Attock, Jhelum, and Chakwal have been included in this reshuffle.

Sargodha’s District and Sessions Judge Abbas, who had previously communicated with the Lahore High Court, has also been transferred.

Syed Ali Imran, who served as the District and Sessions Judge of Lahore, has been reassigned to Rahim Yar Khan. This transfer was finalized with the approval of the Chief Justice of the Lahore High Court.

Mianwali Sessions Judge Qaisar Butt has also been directed to report to the Lahore High Court, while Sessions Judge Raja Ghulam Safdar Ali has been moved from Jhelum to Okara.

Naseem Virk has been appointed as the new Sessions Judge of Lahore, and Sarfaraz Akhtar, who previously served as the Director General of District Judiciary, has been named the Sessions Judge of Bahawalpur.

Besides it, Anti-Corruption Court Judge Arshad Hussain Bhutta has been relieved of his duties and instructed to report to the Lahore High Court immediately.

Judge Khalid Arshad, who was also handling cases related to May 9, has been removed from his position and ordered to report to the Lahore High Court immediately.