KP govt formally approves amendments to Judicial Service Rules 2001

PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government has formally approved amendments to the Judicial Service Rules 2001, introducing major changes in the criteria for appointments and promotions within the judicial service.

According to a notification issued by the Law Department, appointments and promotions under various provisions will now be made on the basis of “selection on merit,” replacing the earlier system of “seniority-cum-fitness.”

The notification stated that a new Clause (F) has been added to Rule 5 of the Judicial Service Rules. Under this clause, no promotion will be granted until the completion of the minimum service period prescribed therein. Clause (F) will be applicable to officers holding posts from Basic Pay Scale (BPS) 19 to 21.

The amendments also include changes to Rule 7, under which the previous condition relating to lawyers has been abolished. As per the revised rules, a candidate must be registered as a lawyer and possess at least two years of legal experience. However, prior legal experience in the High Court or its subordinate courts will no longer be mandatory, the Law Department clarified.

The amendments have been notified following formal approval by the provincial government and will take immediate effect.

BAR COUNCIL BOYCOTTS JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS

Meanwhile, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Bar Council has announced a boycott of court proceedings across the province, on Wednesday, in protest against the new procedure for the appointment of civil judges. The Bar Council said the call for a boycott has been given in response to recent changes introduced by the KP Law Department regarding judicial appointments.

The Bar Council claimed that the Law Department has abolished the requirement of two years’ experience as a lawyer for appointment as a civil judge, which, it said, would result in the appointment of judges without practical legal experience in the future. Rejecting the decision, the KP Bar Council termed the move unacceptable and demanded its immediate withdrawal.