LAHORE President Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) Asma Jahangir has suggested for involving all the sitting judges in the Judicial Commission in the consultative process rather than only the chief justice of Pakistan for the appointment of judges to the superior judiciary. It is particularly relevant when high court judges are be elevated to the Supreme Court for the reason the chief justice may not always be familiar with all the high court judges when a wider consultation on the matter has to also preserve neutrality of the Bench besides encouraging diversity, Asma stated here on Saturday expecting on behalf of her body that merit and transparency would be maintained in the appointments. Asma has also desired that the proposed 19th Constitutional amendment be futuristic ensuring that institutions rather than individuals are strengthened. She said the present chief justice of Pakistan was generally admired and revered by the bars in the country but similar sentiments may not endure for his many successors to come. It is therefore relevant that other judges in the commission may also be involved in the consultative process, she suggested. She further suggested while appointing the judges, the number of reported cases as well as the tax return may also be considered for appointment to the office of a judge and those aspiring for the confirmation in the judge office or elevation to the Supreme Court. The relevant list may be placed for the consideration before the Judicial Commission and Parliamentary Committee, she suggested. She said the experience of the past had not been adequately met the expectations of the legal fraternity. A major grievance has been elevation of the relatives of the appointing authorities. The SCBA therefore, highly recommends that relatives of those aspiring to be judges, must either abdicate their position from the appointing commission/committee or such appointment should be deferred. She said appointment of judges in a fair manner and based on merit was at heart of independence of judiciary. As such good democratic traditions while appointing judges will genuinely enhance peoples faith and trust in the dispensation of justice.