Sindh High Court

Sindh High Court
سندھ عدالت عالیہ
Established 1906
Country  Pakistan
Location Karachi, Sindh (Principal Seat)
Hyderabad, Sukkur & Larkana (circuit benches)
Composition method Presidential with confirmation of Chief Justice of Pakistan and Governor of Sindh.
Authorized by Constitution of Pakistan
Decisions are appealed to Supreme Court of Pakistan
Judge term length Till 62 years of age
No. of positions 40
Website www.sindhhighcourt.gov.pk
Chief Justice
Currently Justice Ahmed Ali M. Sheikh[1]
Since 14-12-2015

The High Court of Sindh is the highest judicial institution of the province of Sindh. Established in 1906,[2] it is situated at provincial capital Karachi. Apart from being the highest Court of Appeal for Sindh in civil and criminal matters, the Court was the District Court and the Court of Session in Karachi.

History

On 21 August 1926 the Sindh Courts Act (Bom. VII of 1926) was passed into law-making provision for the establishment of a Chief Court for the Province of Sindh. On the coming into operation of Part III of the Government of India Act, 1935, on 1 April 1937, Sindh became a separate Province and the Judges of the Court of Judicial Commissioner of Sindh were appointed by Royal Warrant by the British Government.

At the time of establishment of the High Court of West Pakistan the number of the Judges of the Karachi Bench was almost the same but subsequently it was increased to 15 and on separation of Sindh & Balochistan High Court's 12 Judges were allocated to the Sindh High Court and 3 Judges to Balochistan High Court. The present approved strength of Judges is 28. However, the number of Judges appointed is 24.

Building Complex

The construction of existing main building was commenced in 1923, at an estimated cost of Rs. 39,75,248 but it was completed on 22-11-1929,[3] at actual cost of Rs. 30,35,000. This building which was meant for 5 Judges with some provision for expansion in 1929 is now accommodating Benches in, Court Rooms and 18 Judges in Chambers. Some Judges have to hold Courts in Chambers. Besides, it also provides accommodation for the offices of the Attorney-General, Deputy Attorney-General, Federal Shariat Court of Pakistan Registry, Advocate-General, Sindh, Additional Advocate General, Sindh, Assistant Advocate General, Sindh and High Court Bar Library. Before shifting Supreme Court Registry from High Court premises two Court rooms and three Chambers were used by the Supreme Court Judges. When the Supreme Court comes to Karachi in bigger strength some more chambers were provided to the Judges of the Supreme Court.

In 1974, An Annexe Building on the North-East side of the compound of the High Court was constructed at a cost of Rs. 4.4 Millions but it did not ease the situation much, for it is accommodating the offices of this Court and also provides office accommodation for the Secretary, Ministry of Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, Standing Counsel, Official Assignee, Special Banking Court, Registry of the Federal Shariat Court and Sindh Bar Council. Thus, it will be seen that there is acute shortage of accommodation.

The provincial Government has allocated a token amount of Rs. One Lac during the current year for construction of Annexe Building of South-East of the present building in order to make the scheme as ongoing scheme. The building was estimated in 1984 to cost a sum of Rs. 13.35 millions. The cost now may go up slightly because of inflation. Unless the Federal Government provides funds or the Provincial Government give preference to the construction of this building and provide necessary funds, the building is not going to be completed within a year or two.

Bench

High Court of Sindh consists of a Chief Justice and 27 other Judges. A Judge of the High Court is appointed by the President after consultation with the Chief Justice of Pakistan, the Governor of the Province and the Chief Justice of the High Court in which appointment is to be made. No person is appointed as a Judge of the High Court unless he is a citizen of Pakistan having forty years and has been an advocate of the High Court or has held a judicial office for ten years and has for a period of not less than three years served as or exercised the functions of a District Judge in Pakistan. A Judge of a High Court holds office until he attains the age of sixty-two years, unless he sooner resigns or is removed from office in accordance with the Constitution.

The principal seat of the High Court of Sindh is at Karachi with a Bench at Hyderabad, Sukkur and Larkana The High Court may has more Benches at other places as the Governor on the advice of the Cabinet and in consultation with the Chief Justice of the High Court may determine Jurisdiction.[4]

PC0 25 March 1981

PC0 26 January 2000

PC0 3 November 2007

Reappoinment of Judges

27 August 2008 and 6 September 2008

Restoration of Judges

After the long march of lawyer and opposition parties, on 16 March 2009, the Government restored the deposed judiciary. Only two judges refused to be reappointed: Musheer Alam and Maqbool Baqar.

Former Chief Justices

[5]

Judges of Sindh High Court

High Court of Sindh is headed by a Chief Justice. The bench consist of Justices and additional judges and the retirement age of Chief Justice and Justices is 62 years. The Additional Judges are initially appointed for one year, after that their services could either be extended or they could be confirmed or they are retired. The current Chief Justice of Sindh High Court is Justice Ahmed Ali M. Shaikh

Current Composition

No. Name Appointment Retirement Note(s)
1 Ahmed Ali M.Sheikh 25 September 2009 2 October 2023 Elevated to the Bench as Additional Judge on 25 September 2009 and confirmed as permanent Judge of the Sindh High Court. He took oath as Chief Justice of the Sindh High Court on 17 March 2017.
2 Irfan Saadat Khan 25 September 2009 6 February 2025 Elevated to the Bench as Additional Judge on 25 September 2009 and confirmed as permanent Judge of the Sindh High Court.
3 Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi 25 September 2009 15 June 2025 Elevated to the Bench as Additional Judge on 25 September 2009 and confirmed as permanent Judge of the Sindh High Court.
4 Munib Akhtar 25 September 2009 13 December 2025 Elevated to the Bench as Additional Judge on 25 September 2009 and confirmed as permanent Judge of the Sindh High Court.
5 Syed Hasan Azhar Rizvi 18 February 2010 1 February 2024 Elevated to the Bench as Additional Judge on 18 February 2010 and confirmed as permanent Judge of the Sindh High Court.
6 Muhammad Ali Mazhar 18 February 2010 4 October 2026 Elevated to the Bench as Additional Judge on 18 February 2010 and confirmed as permanent Judge of the Sindh High Court.
7 Nadeem Akhtar 20 March 2012 15 February 2024 Elevated to the Bench as Additional Judge on 20 March 2012 and confirmed as permanent Judge of the Sindh High Court.
8 Muhammad Shafi Siddiqui 20 March 2012 11 August 2027 Elevated to the Bench as Additional Judge on 20 March 2012 and confirmed as permanent Judge of the Sindh High Court.
9 Abdul Rasool Memon 1 June 2012 7 October 2018 Elevated to the Bench as Additional Judge on 1 June 2012 and confirmed as permanent Judge of the Sindh High Court.
10 Naimatullah Phulpoto 1 June 2012 4 February 2025 Elevated to the Bench as Additional Judge on 1 June 2012 and confirmed as permanent Judge of the Sindh High Court.
11 Sadiq Hussain Bhatti 1 June 2012 13 December 2017 Elevated to the Bench as Additional Judge on 1 June 2012 and confirmed as permanent Judge of the Sindh High Court.
12 Syed Muhammad Farooq Shah 27 June 2012 30 September 2017 Elevated to the Bench as Additional Judge on 27 June 2012 and confirmed as permanent Judge of the Sindh High Court.
13 Aziz ur Rehman 27 June 2012 3 March 2021 Elevated to the Bench as Additional Judge on 27 June 2012 and confirmed as permanent Judge of the Sindh High Court.
14 Aftab Ahmed Gorar 27 June 2012 31 December 2023 Elevated to the Bench as Additional Judge on 27 June 2012 and confirmed as permanent Judge of the Sindh High Court.
15 Salahuddin Panhwar 27 June 2012 8 August 2028 Elevated to the Bench as Additional Judge on 27 June 2012 and confirmed as permanent Judge of the Sindh High Court.
16 Mrs. Ashraf Jehan 31 August 2013 8 February 2019 Elevated to the Bench as Additional Judge on 31 August 2013 and confirmed as permanent Judge of the Sindh High Court.
17 Abdul Maalik Gaddi 31 August 2013 1 January 2021 Elevated to the Bench as Additional Judge on 31 August 2013 and confirmed as permanent Judge of the Sindh High Court.
18 Nazar Akbar 31 August 2013 6 August 2021 Elevated to the Bench as Additional Judge on 31 August 2013 and confirmed as permanent Judge of the Sindh High Court.
19 Muhammad Junaid Ghaffar 31 August 2013 13 September 2025 Elevated to the Bench as Additional Judge on 31 August 2013 and confirmed as permanent Judge of the Sindh High Court.
20 Zafar Ahmed Rajput 31 August 2013 15 October 2027 Elevated to the Bench as Additional Judge on 31 August 2013 and confirmed as permanent Judge of the Sindh High Court.
21 Muhammad Iqbal Kalhoro 30 May 2014 18 July 2030 Elevated to the Bench as Additional Judge on 30 May 2014 and confirmed as permanent Judge of the Sindh High Court.
22 Muhammad Iqbal Mahar 30 October 2015 14 November 2019 Elevated to the Bench as Additional Judge on 30 October 2015 and confirmed as permanent Judge of the Sindh High Court.
23 Khadim Hussain M. Shaikh 30 October 2015 22 October 2020 Elevated to the Bench as Additional Judge on 30 October 2015 and confirmed as permanent Judge of the Sindh High Court.
24 Zulfiqar Ahmed Khan 30 October 2015 31 July 2025 Elevated to the Bench as Additional Judge on 30 October 2015 and confirmed as permanent Judge of the Sindh High Court.
25 Mahmood A. Khan 30 October 2015 23 July 2026 Elevated to the Bench as Additional Judge on 30 October 2015 and confirmed as permanent Judge of the Sindh High Court.
26 Muhammad Karim Khan Agha 30 October 2015 19 September 2026 Elevated to the Bench as Additional Judge on 30 October 2015 and confirmed as permanent Judge of the Sindh High Court.
27 Muhammad Faisal Kamal Alam 30 October 2015 7 May 2031 Elevated to the Bench as Additional Judge on 30 October 2015 and confirmed as permanent Judge of the Sindh High Court.
28 Rasheed Ahmed Soomro 29 June 2016 4 October 2020 Elevated to the Bench as Additional Judge on 29 June 2016 and confirmed as permanent Judge of the Sindh High Court.
29 Arshad Hussain Khan 29 June 2016 4 February 2029 Elevated to the Bench as Additional Judge on 29 June 2016 and confirmed as permanent Judge of the Sindh High Court.
30 Muhammad Saleem Jessar 29 June 2016 11 September 2029 Elevated to the Bench as Additional Judge on 29 June 2016 and confirmed as permanent Judge of the Sindh High Court.
31 Fahim Ahmed Siddiqui 30 November 2016 6 August 2021 Elevated to the Bench as Additional Judge on 30 November 2016. Retirement date is subjected to confirmation.
32 Khadim Hussain Tunio 30 November 2016 31 March 2026 Elevated to the Bench as Additional Judge on 30 November 2016. Retirement date is subjected to confirmation.
33 Omar Sial 30 November 2016 20 October 2031 Elevated to the Bench as Additional Judge on 30 November 2016. Retirement date is subjected to confirmation.
34 Adnan-ul-Karim Memon 30 November 2016 7 January 2033 Elevated to the Bench as Additional Judge on 30 November 2016. Retirement date is subjected to confirmation.
35 Yousuf Ali Sayeed 30 November 2016 18 August 2033 Elevated to the Bench as Additional Judge on 30 November 2016. Retirement date is subjected to confirmation.
36 Vacant
37 Vacant
38 Vacant
39 Vacant
40 Vacant

[6] [7] [8]

References

  1. ↑ "Honourable Chief Justice". www.sindhhighcourt.gov.pk. Sindth Highcourt. Retrieved 17 February 2015.
  2. ↑ History of Sindh High Court
  3. ↑ Apnapoint.com - Sindh High Court
  4. ↑ http://www.sindhhighcourt.gov.pk/Introduction.shtml
  5. ↑ Former Chief Justices
  6. ↑ http://sindhhighcourt.gov.pk/judges.php
  7. ↑ http://nation.com.pk/lahore/13-Jun-2014/jcp-okays-confirmation-of-4-additional-judges-of-shc
  8. ↑ http://www.sindhhighcourt.gov.pk/Justice_Nisar_Shaikh.php
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