Daily Times

Sir: Only a couple of years ago, a brand new judicial policy was devised, according to which all fresh appointments in the judiciary were to be made in consultation with senior judges of the Supreme Court and respective high courts. This highly esteemed judicial policy also envisaged the appointment of heads of various courts/tribunals working in the provinces. The appointment of Chairman Drug Court was also to be made by following the prescribed procedure in the said policy. This means that the prime minister will make such appointments in consultation with the Chief Justice of respective High Court. But sadly, the procedure has not been followed while appointing Drug Courts’ heads in Punjab (Multan and Gujranwala) and the condition of consulting Chief Justices has been deliberately ignored by the Ministry of Law. Such practices by those at the helm of affairs would surely discourage the trends of respecting and observing the rule of law at the grassroots level. The prime minister must ensure transparency during such appointments. Otherwise it will take hard to wash away the stigma of nepotism and favoritism.

HASAN ZEB
Lahore