Judges’ appointment: Lawyers demand transparent mechanism

Pakistan Bar Council Vice Chairperson says bar councils and bar associations should also be consulted.

ISLAMABAD:

Ahead of a meeting of the Judicial Commission for the appointment of judges in superior courts, the Pakistan Bar Council has demanded that a transparent mechanism be evolved for judicial appointments.

“Absolute authority should not be given to the government or the judicial commission in the appointment of judges in high courts and Supreme Court,” said Pakistan Bar Council Vice Chairperson Advocate Akhtar Hussain.

After a meeting of the apex body of Pakistani lawyers, Hussain told The Express Tribune on Friday that bar councils and bar associations should also be consulted as they are stakeholders in the issue.

He said the Pakistan Bar Council , through a unanimous resolution, demanded the judicial commission, which is going to meet today (Saturday), to provide the minutes of the commission to the Pakistan Bar Council , so that they should know details of the proceedings.

Although bar councils and bar associations have representation on the judicial commission, the final authority rests with members of the commission, Hussain pointed out.

Chief justices of high courts should consult bar councils in initiating the process of nomination of judges before sending the names for appointment in HCs and SC, he added. “The consultation should be meaningful,” he added.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 25^th, 2012.