Verdict reserved in judges’ appointment case

PESHAWAR: The Peshawar High Court on Wednesday reserved judgment in a petition filed against the interviews conducted for the appointment of civil judges.

A division bench comprising Justice Ijaz Anwar and Justice Fazal Subhan heard the case.The petitioners Salman and Irfan advocates were represented by Afrasiab Wazir advocate.Petitioners’ counsel informed the court that they had objection to the Public Service Commission chairman, who conducted the interviews.

He pleaded that only 22 candidates passed the test for the 84 positions, and among these 22 candidates, only 10 were successful in the interview for civil judges. The petitioners argued that the interview process was flawed, and candidates were disqualified simply for not speaking English.

Upon this, Justice Ijaz Anwar remarked that English was not only important for judges but also beneficial for lawyers in the legal profession. He added that if the test was passed, more efforts should be made to pass the interview next time.

The court said that it cannot act as an appellate authority in this matter, and if there was any legal glitch, it should be raised.The court emphasized that the process of appointments for judiciary should be rigorous to ensure that capable individuals were selected. The bench also noted that if the courts started interfering in such matters, then how the institutions would function properly.The petitioners’ lawyer argued that the Sindh High Court had ordered the recording of interviews, to which Justice Ijaz Anwar agreed, saying that interviews should indeed be recorded.