Bilawal, Rana emerge as leading candidates for JCP posts

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and adviser to the prime minister on political affairs Rana Sanaullah on Thursday emerged as leading candidates to fill two vacant positions on the Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP) following the resignation of two of its members.

A day earlier, Naekof PPP and Sheikh Aftab Ahmad of PML-N tendered their resignations, citing personal commitments, completion of their terms and changing political dynamics on the treasury benches.

According to sources, two new members – one each from National Assembly and Senate – would be inducted into the commission. The

names of Bilawal and Senator Sanaullah are being considered for the positions.

Bilawal, who is currently an MNA, is reportedly interested in joining the JCP. Under the proposed arrangement, the PPP is expected to secure representation from National Assembly, while the PML-N would be represented from Senate through Sanaullah, who is a senator.

The development comes amid reported dissatisfaction within the PPP leadership over the failure to secure the appointment of its preferred candidates as judges of the superior courts.

The possible nomination of Bilawal and Sanaullah is likely to trigger a fresh debate among

lawyers over the growing political role in judicial appointments.

They argue that the influence of powerful political circles over judicial appointments cannot be ruled out following the 26th Constitutional Amendment.

Bilawal had previously withdrawn his nomination from the JCP in November 2024 in protest over what he described as the government’s failure to honour its commitment.

According to reports, Bilawal had said, “I have withdrawn my name from the JCP as a protest because the incumbent government did not meet the promise of equal representation at the time of Amendment 26.”

Sources said the PPP’s Central Executive Committee (CEC) would decide the party’s future course of action regarding the government.

Bilawal is expected to convene a CEC meeting upon his return to Pakistan, where important decisions will be taken.

It may be recalled that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Bilawal held an important meeting last month.

During the meeting, the two leaders agreed to mobilise Parliament for the 27th Constitutional Amendment and decided to take JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman on board beforehand.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026