Former IHC Judge Appointed as NIRC Chairman

In a significant development, the government has appointed former Islamabad High Court (IHC) judge Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui as the chairman of the National Industrial Relations Commission (NIRC) for a term of three years. This appointment comes after Siddiqui was reinstated by the Supreme Court in March 2023, with the court declaring his removal by former president Arif Alvi in October 2018 as illegal. The removal was recommended by the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC). Siddiqui's reinstatement was seen as a major victory for the judiciary, which had taken a strong stance against the move. The appointment of Siddiqui as NIRC chairman is expected to have significant implications for the country's industrial relations and labor laws. With his experience as a judge, Siddiqui is likely to bring a fair and impartial approach to the commission, which is responsible for resolving industrial disputes and interpreting labor laws. The development is seen as a positive step towards strengthening the country's institutions and promoting good governance.