The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) has called for a constitutional amendment to end ad hoc appointments of judges in higher judiciary. Speaking at a press conference on Saturday, Bar President Syed Ali Zafar said the appointment of ad hoc judges was against the independence of the judiciary and it was a wrong impression that their appointment would help cater the heavy load of cases in courts. He also said the number of judges' confirmed seats should be increased.
"The Constitution has a provision for ad hoc appointments but this provision was misused in the past," he added. He said, "The bar does not want any confrontation with the judiciary. Therefore, it wants the Parliament to introduce an amendment in Article 182 of the Constitution that allows the ad hoc appointments of these judges." But he warned, "The bar will not hesitate to protest outside the Parliament if the ad hoc appointments of judges do not end."
On the self-accountability in the judiciary, he said, "Everyone including politicians, bureaucrats, judges and army men, should be held accountable if found guilty of any violation. People go to courts for justice and the bar wants to device an effective policy with the judiciary to ensure swift justice." Those also present were the bar's Secretary Asad Manzoor Butt and executive committee members Qaiser Ameen Rana and Sohail Bhatti.