Balochistan lawyers protest ‘irregularities’ in BHC recruitment

Quetta, Pakistan: The Balochistan Bar Council (BBC) has called for a province-wide judicial strike and court boycott on Monday in response to alleged irregularities within the recruitment process of the Balochistan High Court (BHC) and district courts. The Bar Council has vehemently denounced voice messages purportedly from the BHC registrar, which reportedly instructed district and sessions judges to halt recruitment results and submit candidate test papers for prior review by the High Court administration.

The council deems these instructions as unwarranted intrusions into judicial administration and questions the transparency of the recruitment process. According to the Bar Council, the voice messages allege that district and sessions judges were directed to submit candidates' test papers and lists to the High Court for review, challenging the legal authority of selection committees under Rules 7 and 10 of the Balochistan Judiciary Staff Service Rules, 2021.

The BBC has been monitoring the recruitment procedures in BHC and district courts, previously raising concerns over alleged irregularities and corruption. The council believes the voice messages have reinforced these concerns, casting doubt on the transparency and credibility of the ongoing recruitment process. The council urges the immediate suspension of the recruitment process in BHC and all district courts, and calls for an independent investigation into the entire recruitment procedure.