Parliamentary committee: Judges’ appointment criteria finalised

Body decides to strictly ensure transparency in judicial inductions.

ISLAMABAD: The parliamentary committee for appointment of judges has finalised criteria to analyse the conduct of judges before their appointment in the Supreme Court and high courts on the recommendation of the judicial commission. It is learnt on Wednesday.

Sources say that the committee decided to strictly ensure transparency in judicial appointments and it would be seeking all necessary input from quarters concerned in this connection.

They said that the committee would consider recommendations of relevant high court chiefs, the Judicial Commission, besides taking into account the judges’ general reputation and their confidence and ability to deliver justice in face of pressure, sources said, adding that intelligence reports would also be accessed.

The amount of time, the sources said, a judge took to arrive at decisions would also be taken into consideration.

Sources said that payment of taxes by a judge, or a lawyer before becoming a judge, would be part of the criteria, considering promptness as an indicator of honesty.

Sources said that the committee had the mandate to seek information from any department about the judges during its deliberations.

Terming the entire process unprecedented in the country’s history, they said it was a new process and it “will take some time to mature”.

Sources said despite its difficult nature, the committee members were committed to making the process successful.

Sources dispelled the impression that judges’ extension would not be taken as an extension in their contracts.

Previously, they said, it was common for high court judges to be appointed on a two-year probation before their confirmation. However, they said, this practice had been changed, adding that judges were given a year-long probation period, which could be further extended by one more year.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 4^th,  2011.