I HAVE come to know through a judge of the lower judiciary that their retirement age has been revised from 60 to 65 years. One wonders why others in the other service cadres have not been given the benefit.

The judiciary in every country is revered and respected in the eyes of the rulers and the ruled. And its role gains more overarching importance when rulers in the Third World feel losing public support and their rule is endangered and they woo for their favours.

Most recently the present regime in an unnoticed way — as its predecessors did by increasing substantially salaries of the higher judiciary during their tenure — increased the age of retirement to 65 years, which was previously 60 years. It may be noted that in all other departments, including civil service and autonomous bodies, it remains 60 years .

In other words, how can that be possible? Is it not an effort to influence their judgements?

The folk in intelligentsia and intellectuals are rightly questioning the rationale and motive of such a controversial and untenable move.

Parvez Iqbal Anjum

Rahimyar Khan

Published in Dawn, October 31st, 2014