OF late, there have been some disparaging remarks from some quarters against the armed forces officers. Let me put in for the knowledge of everyone that all armed forces officers are selected through a meticulously planned, competitive, merit-based and one of the best selection systems; the Inter-Services Selection Board (ISSB).

Thereafter, they earn their hard-earned ranks at every level through blood, sweat, competitive training and grooming through vigorous and knowledge-based training in a merit-based system throughout their career.

Now let us have a look at some other fields, like, for instance, our legal fraternity. Quite a number of lawyers are those who tried and could not become a doctor, an engineer, or join the civil services or the armed forces. They then got a BA degree at whatever level and completed their LLB from wherever possible. May we know if there is any merit-based system for the selection of superior judiciary? Isn’t it normally based on links with influential authorities or on the basis of seniority only?

It is a known fact that one of the chief justices of the Supreme Court in the recent past had joined the legal profession after trying to join the army and failing twice in the ISSB.

Does this indicate the calibre required?

Lt-Col (retd) Javaid Iqbal
Karachi

Published in Dawn, December 16th, 2021