The Supreme Court bureaucracy undergoes a significant reorganisation at the highest levels.

The Supreme Court announced several key administrative appointments on Saturday, intended to ensure operational continuity and promote reform within the court’s administrative structure.

Sohail Mohammad Laghari, now the secretary of the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC), has been appointed as the registrar of the Supreme Court on deputation in BS-22, as per an official release.

Laghari is a district and sessions judge in the lower courts under the Sindh High Court (SHC) and has formerly held the position of SHC registrar. The statement indicated that he possesses considerable expertise in judicial management and institutional administration.

Laghari has succeeded SC Registrar Muhammad Salim Khan, who resigned from his office on October 30, citing personal reasons after concluding his 45-day sabbatical.

Fakhar Zaman, a district and sessions judge of the Peshawar High Court (PHC), has been appointed as director general (Reforms) in the Supreme Court on deputation, also in BS-22.

He is presently functioning as the assistant registrar (administrative) at the Supreme Court. Zaman possesses over thirty years of expertise in institutional reforms, policy innovation, and judicial education.

The SJC secretariat has requested the services of Abid Rizwan Abid, a district and sessions judge of the Lahore High Court, for the position of SJC secretary (BS-22) on deputation.

Muhammad Abbas Zaidi, presently functioning as deputy registrar (judicial) in BS-20, has been appointed to the current role of Additional Registrar (Judicial) (BS-21).

Zulfikar Ahmed, a deputy registrar serving as officer in-charge at the SC Branch register in Karachi, has been appointed to the position of additional registrar (BS-21) in the same register.

Mohammad Safdar Mehmood, a deputy registrar serving as officer in-charge at the SC Branch register in Lahore, has been appointed to the current role of additional registrar at the same register.

Mujahid Mehmood, a deputy registrar at the SC Branch register in Peshawar, has been appointed to the current role of additional registrar at the same register.

Fawad Ahmad, a deputy registrar, has been appointed to the present charge of additional registrar, while Sohail Ahmad, a deputy registrar (administration) in BS-20, has been designated the current charge of extra registrar (administration) in BS-21.

The announcement indicated, “These appointments reaffirm the Supreme Court’s dedication to institutional reform, efficient service delivery, and the enhancement of administrative frameworks that facilitate the administration of justice.”

Untimely retirement of the former registrar

Muhammad Salim Khan resigned from his job as Supreme Court Registrar last week after over one year of service. He submitted his resignation, citing personal reasons.

Nonetheless, rumours indicate that certain Supreme Court justices were dissatisfied with him. An SC notification indicates that Khan was on leave from September 16 to October 30 for personal reasons.

Khan acquired the position of Supreme Court registrar on November 5 of the previous year. A senior official announced that the registrar was designated for a three-year tenure. The official stated, “Taking an unexpected 45-day leave and subsequently resigning indicates that circumstances were unfavourable.”