LAHORE (Dunya News) – Chief Justice of Lahore High Court Malik Shehzad Ahmed Khan on Friday remarked during the hearing on a request to transfer cases from Rawalpindi anti-terrorism court to another court that had the judges been appointed according to the law, the issue would not have arisen.
The chief justice observed that under which provision of the law he would give the names of judges to the government. He remarked that the government should not make illegal demands to him and cooperate with judiciary.
Members of a committee formed by the government for appointing judges Marriyum Aurangzeb, Mujtaba Shujaur Rehman and others appeared in the court. Punjab Law Minister Soheb Ahmed also appeared before the Chief Justice of the Lahore High Court.
The public prosecutor informed the court that the government had written letters to the registrar for appointment of judges in Rawalpindi, Lahore, and Faisalabad. It had sent three names for appointment in Gujranwala ATC and labour courts, according to the law.
Marriyum submitted that the government wanted to make appoints in a transparent manner. She said the Punjab government had formed a committee for appointment of judges, you name a panel and the government would appoint them.
Chief Justice Khan said that under which law should I give you the panel of judges' names? If the judges were appointed according to the law, the situation would not have become complicated.
The chief justice remarked that [you] appoint judges.
The Chief Justice inquired that in how many days should the appointment of ATC judges be made? In how many days decisions are to be made? The law minister said that a decision must be taken within seven days.
The secretary law presented the procedure and law for the appointment of judges to the court.
The Chief Justice said that the court respects everyone and institutions. It respects the parliament the most. The aggrieved litigants prayed for appointment of judges so that cases should be decided at the earliest.
Later, the court directed to appoint judges and submit report within three weeks. It also asked the government committee to submit a progress report by Monday.