Bar Condemns Selection Process of BHC Judges
The Balochistan Bar Council (BBC) strongly criticized the current selection process for appointing judges to the Balochistan High Court (BHC), denouncing the nomination of a long-serving civil servant for promotion as an affront to the legal profession.
During a press conference in Quetta, BBC Vice Chairman Jadin Baloch, along with senior leaders Munir Ahmed Kakar and Ayaz Khan Mandokhail, expressed deep dissatisfaction over the exclusion of the bar from the consultation process.
They disclosed that a prominent candidate recommended to the chief justice had worked as an instructor in the government's Manpower and Training Department for 18 years.
The BBC contended that directly elevating a government employee to the high court bench undermines the merit, reputation, and role of independent practicing lawyers in the province. The council also raised concerns about the potential impact of the appointment process on judicial independence.
They alleged that appointing what they termed as "compromised individuals" was an effort to populate the 15-seat BHC with compliant judges who would prioritize external instructions over impartial justice.
The council warned that such appointments could diminish public trust in the judiciary and weaken the autonomy of the legal system. In response, the bar declared a province-wide boycott of court proceedings on Monday.
