The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Bar Council has asked the Peshawar High Court to lower the English language requirements for the Additional Sessions Judge screening test. This request came after 139 out of 598 candidates failed the English section.
In a letter to the court, the Bar Council argued that the strict language requirement could prevent capable candidates from qualifying. They believe that many skilled individuals might miss the opportunity to serve as judges just because of their English proficiency.
The council has suggested easing the language standard so that more competent candidates can be considered for the role. They emphasized that while English is important, other legal skills and knowledge should also be given priority in the selection process.
This request has sparked a discussion about the role of language proficiency in judicial appointments. Some believe that strong English skills are necessary for understanding and interpreting laws, while others argue that legal expertise and decision-making abilities should be the main focus.
The Peshawar High Court has not yet responded to the request. However, the debate continues over whether language should be a key factor in selecting judges or if other competencies should be given more weight.
