LAHORE – Federal Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar has announced that candidates for appointment as High Court judges will, for the first time, undergo interviews as part of the selection process, describing the move as a step towards ensuring merit and transparency in judicial appointments.
Azam Nazeer Tarar said a seven-member committee had been constituted to conduct interviews of the shortlisted candidates recommended for elevation to the High Courts.
He said candidates for the posts of Civil Judges and Additional Sessions Judges already undergo examinations before their appointments, adding that there was no reason why prospective High Court judges should not be interviewed as well.
The law minister said the government was also introducing a constitutional mechanism to evaluate the performance of judges. Under the proposed system, a Judges Evaluation Committee will review the performance of judges at the end of every year.
He said judges should be assessed on merit and accountability, adding that if the committee found a judge’s performance to be unsatisfactory, it could recommend filing a reference before the Judicial Commission. The committee would also have the authority to recommend a judge’s removal in cases of consistently poor performance.
Tarar stressed that the rule of law and adherence to the Constitution were essential for strengthening the justice system.
Speaking about lawyers’ welfare, he said the government was formulating a policy to provide medical treatment for lawyers and their families. The proposed scheme would cover treatment for major illnesses, including cancer, kidney, liver and heart diseases, at both public and private hospitals.
He added that the Punjab government had allocated Rs1.35 billion to bar associations across the province and announced an additional Rs20 million to support vocational training courses for lawyers.
Commenting on delays in court proceedings, Law Minister Tarar said litigants and lawyers often faced uncertainty regarding the outcome of their cases. He stressed that while all judges deserved respect, the judicial system must ensure efficiency and accountability, particularly as it is funded through taxpayers’ money. He said judges receiving equal salaries and benefits should also be expected to deliver comparable levels of performance.
