Public Servants
Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa issued a directive during a recent hearing, expressing his objection to the practice of adding the term “sahib” to the job titles of public servants. CJP Isa argued that this practice “unnecessarily elevates the status of public servants,” potentially fostering delusions of grandeur and a perception of unaccountability among them. The order was issued in the context of a bail plea related to a child murder case in Peshawar.
The petitioner, Javid Khan, contested the charges against him, asserting that the statements from the victim’s relatives, upon which the police case relied, lacked credibility. The case was heard by a three-member bench, including CJP Isa, Justice Athar Minallah, and Justice Aminuddin Khan.
During the proceedings, the Additional Advocate General of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa referred to the deputy superintendent of police as “DSP sahib,” prompting the Chief Justice’s directive against the use of such honorifics.
CJP Isa criticized the competency of the investigation, describing it as a “classic example of an incompetently handled investigation.” He expressed concern over a trend where cases were brought to court without the necessary seriousness, effectively turning the court into an “office of the prosecution.”
In response to these concerns, CJP Isa granted bail to the petitioner against surety bonds amounting to Rs100,000 and emphasized the need for a more thorough investigation.
The ruling reflects the Chief Justice’s commitment to eliminating language that might contribute to an unhealthy perception of authority among public servants, emphasizing the importance of maintaining accountability and effective public service.
