I HAVE been working as a stenographer for a number of years in district judiciary. I have served with many civil judges and judges of lower judiciary and observed that most are honest but seldom try to reconcile matters pre-trial which would ensure savings to the state of resources and time.

The primary requisite for a judge, is to be a practising lawyer who has practiced for two years is eligible to become a civil judge, while 10 years of practice is required to become an additional and sessions judge.

On the other hand many competent people holding a law degree cannot become a judge for lack of practice. Thus those who possess a law degree and are employed in government service but have not practiced law cannot become judges.

The administration committee of the Lahore High Court in February 2017 approved recruitment of judicial officers in a manner that is at par with the Central Superior Service. This is a step in the right direction.

I request the Chief Justice of Pakistan to waive the two-year practice condition and allow government officials to compete in the civil judge-cum-judicial magistrate exam.

This will open the doors to competent and talented people who have law degrees to join the prestigious institution of the judiciary.

A Citizen

Lahore

Published in Dawn, October 23rd, 2018

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