⚖️ High Court Law in Pakistan – Complete Overview
The High Courts of Pakistan are the highest judicial authority at the provincial level. They interpret the law, supervise lower courts, and hear appeals in civil, criminal, and constitutional matters. Each province has its own High Court established under the Constitution of Pakistan, 1973.
🏛️ 1. High Courts in Pakistan
| Province / Region | High Court |
|---|---|
| Punjab | Lahore High Court (LHC) – Lahore (with Benches at Rawalpindi, Bahawalpur, Multan) |
| Sindh | Sindh High Court (SHC) – Karachi |
| Khyber Pakhtunkhwa | Peshawar High Court (PHC) – Peshawar (Benches in Abbottabad, D.I. Khan, Bannu, etc.) |
| Balochistan | Balochistan High Court (BHC) – Quetta |
| Islamabad | Islamabad High Court (IHC) – Islamabad |
| Gilgit-Baltistan | Chief Court + Appellate Court (not a constitutional high court) |
📜 2. Constitutional Basis
Under Article 175 & Article 192 to 203 of the Constitution of Pakistan (1973):
Each High Court is a constitutional court
Functions as appellate, revisional, and constitutional authority
Has original jurisdiction in constitutional and certain civil cases
👨⚖️ 3. Composition of High Courts
| Position | Appointed by |
|---|---|
| Chief Justice | President of Pakistan (on PM & CJ of Pakistan’s recommendation) |
| Other Judges | Appointed similarly through Judicial Commission of Pakistan |
| Retirement Age | 62 years (for High Court judges) |
📥 4. Jurisdiction of High Courts
A. Original Jurisdiction (Writ Jurisdiction)
Under Article 199 of the Constitution, High Courts can issue writs against:
Government authorities
Public officials
Tribunals and subordinate courts
Types of Writs:
Habeas Corpus – unlawful detention
Mandamus – order to perform legal duty
Certiorari – quashing an illegal order
Prohibition – stopping illegal action
Quo Warranto – questioning legality of a public office
✴ This jurisdiction ensures enforcement of fundamental rights under Chapter 1 of the Constitution.
B. Appellate Jurisdiction
Civil Appeals from District Courts
Criminal Appeals from Sessions Courts
Appeals against tribunals (NAB, Service Tribunals, etc.)
Company & Banking appeals
C. Supervisory & Revisional Jurisdiction
High Courts supervise civil and criminal lower courts under Section 115 CPC and Section 435–439 CrPC
Can call records, correct legal errors, or re-examine evidence
D. Other Specialized Jurisdiction
Contempt of Court under Article 204
Company and Commercial Cases under Company Ordinance and special benches
Election Petitions for local bodies and bar councils
Service Matters not covered by service tribunals (certain exceptions)