Judicial System in

Pakistan

Judiciary
The system of courts that interprets

and applies the law in the name of

the State
Doctrine of the separation of powers
The judiciary generally does not
make law or enforce law but rather
interprets law and applies it to the
facts of each case

Court System in Pakistan

Court system of Pakistan is made up of
many courts differing in levels of
legal superiority and separated by
jurisdiction. Some of the courts are
federal in nature while others are
provincial

Structure of Courts in
Pakistan
Supreme Court of Pakistan
Court

Federal Shariat

High Courts
Court of District and Sessions Judge
Civil Courts

Magistrates

The Supreme Court of

Pakistan
Constitutional Court Art. 175 of the

Constitution
The apex court in Pakistan's judicial hierarchy
A permanent seat in Islamabad
Branch Registries in the provincial capitals of
Lahore, Peshawer, Quetta and Karachi
Jurisdiction
Original
Appellate
Advisory

Federal Shariat Court

Constitutional Court Art. 203 (8 th Amendment,

1980)
Not more than 8 Muslim Judges including the C.J
Power to examine and determine as to whether
or not a certain provision of law is repugnant to
the injunctions of Islam
Appeal against its decisions lie to the Shariat
Appellate Bench of the Supreme Court,
consisting of 3 Muslim judges of the Supreme
Court and 2 Ulema, appointed by the President

High Courts
Constitutional Courts Art. 175
Islamabad High Court - through 18th
Amendment, 2010
Jurisdiction
Original

Writ Jurisdiction
Mandamus
Prohibition
Habeas Corpus
Certiorari

Appellate

Appointment of Judges
19th Amendment, 2010
Judicial Commission and Parliamentary Committee

were established for appointments. The Judicial

Commission consists of a total of 9 members: the
Chief Justice of Pakistan, 4 senior judges of the
Supreme Court, a former Chief Justice or judge of the
Supreme Court nominated by the serving Chief
Justice in consultation with the 4 serving judges of
the Supreme Court aforementioned, the Attorney
General of Pakistan, the Federal Minister for Law and
Justice and, 1 senior advocate nominated by the
Pakistan Bar Council

Lower Courts
STATUTORY COURTS
Powers and Jurisdiction
Court of District & Sessions Judge
Civil Courts
Magistrates

Special Courts/
Tribunals
Special Courts/Tribunals include:
Family Courts (Family Courts Act, 1964)
Juvenile Courts
Banking Courts
Custom Courts
Drug Courts
Income Tax Tribunals
Anti Narcotics Courts
Labor Court
Consumer Courts

Appointment of the Judges of Lower

Courts
Court of District & Sessions Judge
Powers and Jurisdiction
Additional District & Sessions Judges are

appointed by the Provincial High Courts from a

pool of Lawyers and subordinate judges
To be eligible for appointment, Lawyers must
have 10 years' experience as an advocate with
good standing in the respective jurisdiction. They
must also pass an examination conducted by the
High Courts. Subordinate judges are promoted
from senior civil judges on a seniority basis

Appointment of Civil Judges/Magistrates

Appointed by the Provincial High Courts on

the recommendation of provincial Public

Service Commissions. These Commissions
hold open competitive exams annually, which
are advertised in national newspapers
The basic qualifications required are an LL.B
from any recognized university and 2 years'
experience as an advocate