Pakistan Bar Council opposes reappointment of retired judges to public offices

The Pakistan Bar Council on Thursday called on the government to stop appointing retired judges to public offices and rejected what it described as interference by the superior judiciary in matters related to lawyers and bar councils.

The demands were raised during a meeting of bar councils organized by the Pakistan Bar Council, attended by Vice Chairman Pir Masood Chishti and representatives of provincial bar councils.

Speaking at a press conference after the meeting, Pir Masood Chishti said participants discussed four major agenda items, including implementation of the Lawyers Protection Act and the 26th and 27th constitutional amendments.

He said the meeting observed that the Lawyers Protection Act was not being implemented effectively across the country.

Discussing judicial transfers, Chishti said the bar councils had agreed that if a judge was transferred, the replacement judge should belong to the same province. He added that parliament had the constitutional authority to introduce amendments.

He further stated that under constitutional amendments, a judge’s seat would remain intact after transfer and also supported transfers within the district judiciary.

The PBC vice chairman urged both federal and provincial governments not to appoint retired judges to official positions after retirement. He also argued that the judiciary should not have the authority to suspend lawyers’ licences.

Speaking on the occasion, Judicial Commission member Ahsan Bhoon said only the Pakistan Bar Council had the authority to announce strike calls by lawyers.

Rejecting interference by the superior judiciary, Bhoon said there was unanimous agreement among bar representatives that vacancies created through judicial transfers should be filled within one month.

He also called for immediate action against character assassination campaigns on social media, saying lawyers found involved in such activities should face disciplinary proceedings, including suspension or cancellation of licences.

Ahsan Bhoon said freedom of expression did not permit the use of abusive language against others and emphasized that the welfare of lawyers remained the top priority of bar councils.

Referring to constitutional reforms, Bhoon said the draft of the 26th Constitutional Amendment had not been shared with bar councils for consultation, while consultations were held regarding the draft of the 27th Constitutional Amendment.

He added that if any new constitutional amendment, including a possible 28th amendment, was under consideration, its draft should be shared with bar councils so they could provide recommendations.

Bhoon further stressed that any constitutional amendment affecting provincial rights should only be introduced after taking the concerned province into confidence.