LAHORE (National Times) Lahore High Court (LHC) has given 3 days time to government for appointment of judges in subordinate courts.
Chief Justice (CJ) LHC Malik Shahzad Ahmad Khan has remarked had appointment of judges been made as per law, the matter would not have reached this stage .
Punjab government petition seeking shifting of cases from Anti Terrorism Court (ATC) Rawalpindi to other court came up for hearing before LHC Friday.
Members of judges appointment committee including Maryam Aurangzeb, Mujtaba Shuja ur Rehman and others appeared in the court.
Advocate General (AG) told the court Punjab government has written letters to registrar for appointment of judges in ATCs Lahore, Faisalabad and Rawalpindi.
3 names each were sent to registrar for appointment of judges in ATC Gujranwala labor courts and that one among these judges be appointed.
According to law name of panel of judges were sent. Senior provincial minister Maryam Aurangzeb and minister Mujtaba Shuja ur Rehman are present in the court.
The provincial minister Maryam Aurangzeb while apprising the court of government stance said we want to appoint judges in transparent manner.
Law minister ;Punjab Sohaib Ahmad said appointment of judges will be made as per law.
The CJ LHC inquired why you assured repeatedly in connection with appointment of judges.
Advocate General Punjab replied letter was written to registrar LHC after completion of process.
The CJ LHC remarked did chief minister ask me ever for consultation. We issued notice in the case and called Advocate General Punjab several time.
I am not eager to call you people. had I been eager then I would have called chief minister on the first day. Politicians are very respectable for us. System will continue to run. But what should we do. People ask us to give decisions. If judges are appointed then decisions will be made .
Maryam Aurangzeb said ;Punjab government has constituted committee. You please give judges panel. We will make appointments out of them.
CJ LHC remarked where it is written in the law that chief justice will give panel of judges to government. You should not make illegal demand from me.
CJ LHC inquired the appointment of ATC judges has to be made in how many days. Decisions have to be made in how many days.
Law minister replied making decision in 7 days is must.
Later law minister presented in the court the procedure for appointment of judges and law.
Law minister said you please give two or three names to government and we will appoint one each judge among them.
CJ LHC remarked under what law I should give panel of judges name to you. Had the judges been appointed as per law then the matter would not have reached this level. We want supremacy of law and constitution.
Advocate general sought time for considering afresh matter of appointment of judges.
CJ LHC ordered that appointment of judges be made within three days and report be filed in the court.
The court sought progress report from government committee till Monday.
