IHC Justices Babar, Ejaz restricted to tax cases only

ISLAMABAD: For the last several weeks, Justice Babar Sattar and Justice Sardar Ejaz Ishaq Khan of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) are hearing only tax-related cases and no constitutional case is referred to them for hearing.

Sources said that in August this year, the IHC had constituted a specialised division bench to exclusively hear tax-related cases under the category of “Commercial Litigation Corridor (CLC)”, in line with the decision of National Judicial (Policy Making) Committee (NJPMC).

According to an official notification issued by the IHC on August 13, 2025, the bench comprised Justice Babar Sattar and Justice Sardar Ejaz Ishaq Khan. These two judges were designated to adjudicate cases and references filed under major revenue laws -- including the Income Tax Ordinance, 2001, Sales Tax Act, 1990, Federal Excise Act, 2005 and Customs Act, 1969.

The notification states that the arrangement has been made pursuant to the NJPMC’s 53rd meeting held on July 11, 2025 and in exercise of powers under the Islamabad High Court Practice and Procedure Rules, 2025 (Volume-V). The bench was directed to function with immediate effect and remain in place until further orders.

Sources in the IHC said that following this notification, both Justice Babar Sattar and Justice Ejaz Ishaq Khan have, for several weeks, been restricted to hearing tax and commercial cases only. No constitutional or general jurisdiction cases have been assigned to them since the implementation of the NJPMC directive.

The creation of the specialized “Commercial Litigation Corridor” is said to be part of a broader judicial reform initiative aimed at expediting commercial disputes and improving Pakistan’s ranking in international ease-of-doing-business indicators.