SHC still short of 26 judges: Three high court judges take oath

Conflicting lists add to confusion over more appointments.

KARACHI:

Justice Muhammad Tasnim, Justice Syed Hasan Azhar Rizvi and Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar took oath as permanent judges of the Sindh High Court here on Saturday amid uncertainty about 26 more appointments.

Chief Justice Mushir Alam administered the oath to the three judges at a simple ceremony held at the Judges Library.

Later, while addressing the ceremony he said that eight to 10 more judges would be appointed in a first batch in a few days to be followed by more in the near future.

A long list has been sent to the relevant quarters for the appointment and hopefully the shortage would be over soon, said Justice Mushir Alam. The list sent by the chief justice of the high court contains names of lawyers who enjoy a good reputation and are known for their integrity.

However, another list forwarded by Sindh Law Minister Ayaz Soomro, who is an ex-officio member of the Judicial Commission, is adding to the confusion. It is commonly believed that this list was sent at the behest of the Sindh government while under a new procedure for the appointment of judges to the superior judiciary, the government’s role is excluded, sources at the SHC said. These sources maintained that the list forwarded by Justice Mushir Alam was based on merit and merit alone.

The list sent by Soomro is unofficial and not binding. It contains names of those who are over 60 years of age and some under 45, and thus ineligible for appointment as judges of the high court, said Khalid Mumtaz, the honorary secretary of the Karachi Bar Association.

He should have recommended names of lawyers who are apolitical and non-controversial. It appears that he (the law minister) has sent a list of party workers, which is not acceptable, Khalid said.

Muhammad Ashraf Summo, the president of the Malir Bar Association, when contacted by The Express Tribune, said he has not seen the list submitted by Soomro. Our stand is un-changed that competent lawyers from all districts should be selected for appointment, he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 12^th, 2012.