Former Secretary,
Supreme Appellate Court, Gilgit-Baltistan
Mr. Usman Bashir Janjua is a seasoned legal professional with 17 years of distinguished experience in judicial administration, legal research, statutory interpretation, and court governance. His extensive tenure as Secretary to the Hon’ble Chief Judge of the Supreme Appellate Court Gilgit-Baltistan has placed him at the forefront of judicial operations, where he has played a critical role in legal drafting, policy formulation, and the facilitation of justice through adherence to constitutional and statutory mandates.
Legal Expertise and Judicial Functions
- Judgment Drafting & Legal Analysis:
Drafted thousands of judicial opinions and rulings, providing detailed legal reasoning grounded in constitutional provisions, statutory frameworks, and judicial precedents. - Constitutional Law & Statutory Interpretation:
Profound understanding of constitutional principles, separation of powers, fundamental rights, and the application of statutory laws within the Gilgit-Baltistan legal context. - Legal Advisory & Judicial Briefing:
Key legal advisor to the Hon’ble Chief Judge, briefing on complex judicial, administrative, and constitutional matters to support informed judicial decision-making. - Quasi-Judicial Duties:
Conducted administrative investigations and disciplinary inquiries within the Supreme Judicial Council, applying principles of administrative law and due process. - Legal Research & Precedent Analysis:
Performed in-depth research and analysis of case law and legal doctrines to underpin judicial rulings and ensure consistency with prevailing jurisprudence. - Legal Drafting & Official Documentation:
Expert in drafting court judgments, legal opinions, official correspondence, minutes, and policy documents, ensuring legal accuracy and clarity.
Judicial Administration, Policy Development & Governance
- Pivotal Role in Service Rules Formulation:
Played a leading role in the drafting and finalization of the Supreme Appellate Court Establishment Service Rules, 2022—a comprehensive legal framework governing the recruitment, service conditions, and administrative procedures of court personnel. This foundational legal instrument has enhanced the transparency, meritocracy, and efficiency of judicial administration. - Recruitment & Human Resource Management:
Instrumental in overseeing and managing recruitment processes for the Supreme Appellate Court, ensuring compliance with legal standards, merit-based selection, and procedural fairness in alignment with the Establishment Service Rules. - Judicial Office Management:
Directed administrative functions to ensure smooth operations of the Supreme Appellate Court, including case management, protocol arrangements, and inter-agency coordination with government and law enforcement bodies. - Publication & Legal Dissemination:
Managed the publication of the Gilgit-Baltistan Law Reports, promoting accessibility and dissemination of legal precedents and judicial decisions.
Professional Experience – Legal Highlights
Secretary to the Hon’ble Chief Judge, Supreme Appellate Court Gilgit-Baltistan
September 2009 – May 2024
- Led drafting, review, and vetting of judicial rulings and legal opinions, contributing to authoritative jurisprudence on constitutional and statutory issues.
- Conducted comprehensive legal and procedural scrutiny of case files to ensure adherence to legal standards and expedited justice delivery.
- Provided legal counsel on administrative law, staff disciplinary matters, and judicial ethics.
- Played a central role in formulating and implementing the Supreme Appellate Court Establishment Service Rules, 2022, strengthening institutional governance and judicial human resource practices.
- Oversaw recruitment processes ensuring legal compliance and merit-based selection consistent with newly framed service rules.
Secretary, Supreme Judicial Council Gilgit-Baltistan (Additional Charge)
May 2015 – May 2024
- Administered quasi-judicial functions including investigations, disciplinary proceedings, and enforcement of judicial standards.
- Maintained custody and management of all Council records and legal documentation with confidentiality and accuracy.
Academic Qualification
Mr. Janjua holds a Master of Laws (LL.M.) degree in Corporate Law and Legal Administration, awarded in 2023 by Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto University of Law, Karachi, Pakistan.
His LL.M. thesis was titled: “Fundamental Rights under the Constitution of Pakistan with Reference to Islamic Law.”
Legal Training
- Workshop on “Legal Research Skills” – Supreme Appellate Court Gilgit-Baltistan
- Ongoing engagement with judicial ethics, constitutional law, and administrative law.
Core Legal Skills
- Judicial writing and legal reasoning
- Constitutional interpretation and statutory application
- Legal drafting and official documentation
- Quasi-judicial investigations and administrative law
- Recruitment and policy formulation within judicial institutions
- Legal research and precedent analysis
- Court administration and governance