Pakistan, Aug. 10 -- The Islamabad High Court has sought responses from the president, prime minister and Ministry of Law over an 18-day delay in approving a summary for appointing new judges. The court questioned why the matter remained pending despite the prescribed timeline and directed the federal government to explain the delay.

The notices came during a petition challenging President Asif Ali Zardari's failure to approve the summary concerning judicial appointments. Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir expressed displeasure during the hearing and asked the government to clarify exactly where the summary was currently pending.

The judge questioned Additional Attorney General Rashid Hafeez about the government's handling of the matter and a...