The Sindh High Court Bar Association (SHCBA) has given a month to the government for immediately appointing judges to the vacant high court posts; otherwise the lawyers would start a protest campaign similar to one launched for the deposed judges’ restoration. During a meeting of the SHCBA general body on Monday, SHCBA members Shahab Sarki, Amjad Bukhari, Shuja Abbas and Ashiq Ali said there is an acute shortage of judges and thousands of petitions, suits and appeals are pending in the high court. They demanded that retired judges should not be appointed to fill government positions.
“Karachi is biggest city of the country, but there are only 12 judges for it,” they pointed out.
The association’s members also condemned the threat to the life of SHC judge Maqbool Baqar and said the government has failed to provide security to judges and lawyers. Separately, Sindh Inspector General of Police (IGP) Mushtaq Ahmed Shah met with SHC Chief Justice Mushir Alam and Justice Maqbool Baqar on Monday. Talking to the media, the IGP said police have made three special cells to probe the killing of lawyers. “Three killers have been arrested and they have also confessed to their crimes,” he added.
