KARACHI: The Sindh High Court has issued a code of conduct for judges of district courts across the province and advised them to exercise authority with utmost efficiency, integrity and best to their ability and capacity since the judicial power is a sacred trust.

It also stated that a judicial officer should not engage in any public controversies whether by speech, writing, debate or comment at any forum and least of all on political questions even if such questions involved a question of law.

The SHC further restrained the judicial officers of subordinate judiciary from interacting with the media especially in relation to issues which may give rise to public debate or adversely affect institutional collegiality and discipline.

It advised judges of district judiciary to avoid unnecessary and unofficial visits to the SHC seeking audience with the chief justice or other judges without proper channel whereas in hardship cases, prior permission through registrar must be a condition precedent.

High court issues fresh code of conduct for subordinate judiciary

The registrar office of the SHC has communicated such code of conduct to all district and sessions judges in Sindh, including the judicial officers working on ex-cadre posts with directions to adhere to it in its letter and spirit.

It also said that the administration committee of the SHC, headed by Chief Justice Zafar Ahmed Rajput and comprising four senior judges of the SHC, has approved such code of conduct.

The code of conduct said that while deciding a matter, only judicial considerations should prevail and in the exercise of discretion, a judicial officer must be guided solely by the principles of justice, equity and good conscience rather than by whims or caprice.

It also stated that a judicial officer should be well-versed in law and must maintain effective command and control over court proceedings while they should also remain conscious of the onerous nature of duties and uphold the highest standards of integrity.

It further maintained that the behaviour of a judicial officer, both inside and outside the court, should be courteous and dignified and the decorum of the court be maintained at all times and held in the highest esteem.

A judicial officer should be respectful, courteous and obedient to their superiors, helpful and sympathetic to subordinates. A judicial officer should live within honest means and believe in “Rizq-e-Halal”, it added.

The SHC in its code of conduct said that a judge should always be keen to learn and try to gain knowledge throughout his/her career and to update and acquaintance with latest techniques and knowledge.

It said a judicial decision given in violation of principles of natural justice, which cannot be handed down by a judicial officer having bare minimum legal acumen or where circumstances surrounding passing of such decision suggest mala fide, bias or favouritism on part of the judicial officer would amount to inefficiency, negligence or misconduct, accordingly as per circumstances.

It also stated that during the performance of judicial duties and functions, judges were expected to maintain independence and never allow themselves to be swayed by abrupt or intense reactions of litigants and the legal fraternity while proceedings to be conducted in open court in presence of parties/their counsel and not in chamber/retiring room. However, ex-parte proceeding can be done, where justified as per law, but in the court.

It further directed the judicial officers of district courts to resolutely decline to act in a case involving their own interests including those of individuals they regard or treat as close relatives or friends.

“A judicial officer should not engage in any public controversy, whether by speech, writing, debate or comment at any forum, and least of all on political questions, even if such questions involve a question of law. judicial officer shall not have any interaction with the media, especially in relation to issues which may give rise to public debate or adversely affect institutional collegiality and discipline. Where, however, an allegation is made public against them, one may place the matter in writing before the authority for an appropriate institutional response”, it added.

The SHC also asked the judicial officers not to cause any judicial or administrative matter to be discussed publicly nor shall make public any communication relating to their personal or official matters and should not accept an invitation to be hosted in his/her honour from an individual member of the bar or litigants.

Published in Dawn, August 17th, 2026