PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has approved major amendments in the Judicial Service Rules 2001 to improve transparency and efficiency in the judicial system.
According to a formal notification issued by the Law Department, now the appointments and promotions of judicial officers in the province will be made on the basis of merit, competence and performance instead of seniority.
According to the Law Department, earlier, the procedure for promotions in the judicial service was under the principle of seniority less fitness, due to which sometimes performance and competence gained secondary status. After the new amendments, a selection-based system has been introduced, under which qualified, capable, and excellent-performing officers will be provided with promotion opportunities.
According to the notification, a new clause “F” has been added to Rule No. 5 of the Judicial Service Rules, which clearly explains the merit-based selection procedure for appointment and promotion. Under this clause, the professional competence, judicial performance, integrity, service record, and overall fitness of the candidates will be taken into account.
Law department officials said that these reforms aim to align the judicial system with modern requirements, make the delivery of justice effective, and improve institutional efficiency. According to officials, the merit-based system will not only promote healthy competition among judicial officers but will also increase public confidence in the judicial system.
According to legal experts, these amendments are a significant step towards judicial reforms, however, their effective implementation will be subject to transparent selection boards and an impartial examination system.
Read also: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa approves promotion of 43 medical officers
