Justice Ghaffar Appointed CAT Chairman

ISLAMABAD: The federal government has named Justice (R) Muhammad Junaid Ghaffar, former Chief Justice of the Sindh High Court, as the new Chairman of the Competition Appellate Tribunal (CAT).

Justice Ghaffar succeeds Justice (R) Sajjad Ali Shah, who retired on August 13, 2025, upon reaching the age of superannuation. Justice Shah, appointed CAT Chairman on February 25, 2025, significantly reduced the backlog of competition-related cases by nearly 50% during his tenure.

Justice Ghaffar was elevated to the Sindh High Court in 2013, later becoming a permanent judge. He served as Acting Chief Justice from February 14, 2025, was confirmed as Chief Justice on July 8, 2025, and retired on September 13, 2025. His extensive judicial expertise spans constitutional, commercial, and civil matters.

The Competition Appellate Tribunal acts as the primary appellate forum for reviewing orders, penalties, and decisions issued by the Competition Commission of Pakistan under the Competition Act, 2010.

Justice Ghaffar’s appointment is anticipated to enhance the quality and consistency of competition jurisprudence in Pakistan. The CAT currently includes two other members, Dr Faiz Elahi Memon and Asim Akram, both appointed in February 2025.