Islamabad – Retired Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui has resigned from his post as Chairman of the National Industrial Relations Commission (NIRC), bringing an abrupt end to his tenure at the key federal labour adjudication body and prompting questions about continuity in one of Pakistan’s most important industrial relations forums.
According to official sources, Justice Siddiqui submitted his resignation to the president through the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development, citing personal reasons for his decision. The resignation was tendered in line with the terms of his appointment, which required a one-month notice period before stepping down from the office.
Justice Siddiqui had assumed charge as NIRC chairman in December 2024, with a three-year term ahead of him. His early departure has come as a surprise to many within legal and labour circles, particularly at a time when the commission is handling sensitive industrial disputes involving trade unions, employers and federal institutions. The NIRC plays a pivotal role in adjudicating labour conflicts across multiple sectors, making leadership stability crucial for its effective functioning.
A former judge of the Islamabad High Court, Justice Siddiqui has remained a prominent and sometimes controversial figure in Pakistan’s judicial landscape. His career has included high-profile legal battles and landmark court rulings, including a Supreme Court decision in recent years that declared his earlier removal from judicial office unlawful. His appointment to the NIRC was widely seen as a significant institutional development following that verdict.
Legal experts say the sudden vacancy at the top of the commission may affect the pace of proceedings unless an interim arrangement is announced swiftly. So far, the government has not named a successor or indicated who will assume additional charge of the commission in the interim. Stakeholders within labour unions and employer organisations are closely watching how the transition will be managed.
Justice Siddiqui’s resignation has once again drawn attention to the broader issue of continuity and governance within statutory bodies, where leadership changes can have far-reaching implications for policy implementation and dispute resolution.
This story has been reported by PakTribune. All rights reserved.