According to sources of The INQUIRER Sardar Ali Raza, the son of former Chief Justice of Peshawar High Court, Justice Sardar Muhammad Raza, is busy in manipulating and lobbying to become a judge. Instead of relying on his ability and legal expertise, he has opened the vaults to get a seat on the bench of a High Court judge.
The Judicial Commission meeting will decide the appointment of new judges of the Peshawar High Court. This list includes renowned and honest lawyers, whose legal ability and professional integrity are known. But surprisingly, Sardar Ali Raza’s name has also been included with these names. These are the same lawyers whose reputation in the field of advocacy is very weak, and they have a record of most losing cases.
Sources said that Sardar Ali Raza paid a huge amount of Rs 50 million as bribe to the leadership of the PPP and used his father’s connections to put his name forward for the High Court judgeship. He has been taking advantage of political connections in the past and has been appointed as Additional Advocate General in the previous provincial government of ANP, although his legal skills have always been questionable. This time, however, the matter is complicated and the competition is tough.Eminent lawyers are in the fray, and it is not easy for Sardar Ali Raza to pave the way. That is why he has started resorting to lobbying and recommendations.
According to reports, he has tried to influence the members of the Judicial Commission and recommendation messages are being sent through several judges of the Peshawar High Court. Sources also said that Sardar Ali Raza has tried to reach the Chief Justice of Pakistan, Mr. Yahya Afridi, through the Registrar of the Supreme Court, Saleem Khan.
He is taking every possible route to get a judge’s chair, even if it means trampling on ethical principles and judicial traditions. Legal and public circles are surprised by this whole situation and are raising the question that if a person is using so much manipulation and financial resources even before becoming a judge, how will he fulfill the requirements of justice after becoming a judge? If an individual uses bribery and influence to reach the bench of the court, will he be able to maintain integrity in his decisions?
Legal experts and civil society have demanded that the Judicial Commission strongly reject any such lobbying and recommendation. Moreover, such individuals should be disqualified from the High Court judgeship forever so that the reputation and dignity of the judiciary is not affected. If such elements are failed to be stopped today, the appointment of judges will also make decisions based on interests and relationships, which will prove to be a poison for the judicial system in the country
