THE chief justice of Punjab has disclosed that civil judges in the province would soon be provided with cars. After joining service in 1960 I was posted at Pakpattan and had to go on tour to Dipalpur every month. In those days the direct road between Pakpattan and Dipalpur was in a shambles and unfit for use and, to go to Dipalpur, one had to first go to Montgomery (now Sahiwal), then from Montgomery to Okara and then from Okara to Dipalpur. It was a tortuous journey by bus.

After three or four months I could bear this torture no more and made representation to the high court, praying that, first, the tour of Pakpattan civil judge to Dipalpur be cancelled and assigned to civil judge, Okara, which was so close to Dipalpur or, secondly, I may be transferred from Pakpattan or, thirdly, I may be permitted to purchase and maintain a car in relaxation of rules which did not permit a judicial officer drawing pay below a certain amount to own and maintain a car.

The high court conceded to my last suggestion and permitted me to purchase and maintain a car. This, however, put me in great financial strain. I am glad that the civil judges in Punjab will no more be under such financial strain, specially those who have to go on tour to other stations. I hope a similar decision will soon be taken by the Sindh High Court.

Justice (r) Salahuddin Mirza

Karachi

Published in Dawn, May 8th, 2017