Visually Impaired Lawyer Set to Become Judge in Sindh

The Sindh High Court’s constitutional bench has ordered the appointment of a visually impaired lawyer as a judicial magistrate under the Sindh Judicial Services Rules.

A two-member bench, led by Justice KK Agha and Justice Nisar, issued the directive while hearing a petition filed by lawyer Sadiq Hussain. He sought an exemption from the medical fitness requirements for judicial appointments due to his visual impairment.

The court ruled that Sadiq, a practicing lawyer, is eligible for the position of judicial magistrate despite his disability. It directed that his appointment be finalized within four weeks or as soon as a vacancy becomes available.

In its written order, the bench noted that Sadiq had successfully sustained himself through his legal practice. Copies of the ruling were also sent to the provincial law secretary and the SHC registrar for implementation.

Sadiq’s legal counsel, Advocate Haseeb Jamali, argued that his client had undergone a medical examination as recommended by the Selection Committee, but his medical certificate was withheld due to his visual impairment. The committee had advised him to seek relief from the SHC regarding the medical fitness requirement.

Despite submitting his application to the SHC registrar, no action was taken. His counsel then approached the constitutional bench, requesting that Sadiq be granted the same consideration as recommended by the Selection Committee in 2015. The case, pending since 2016, was revisited by the SHC in 2024 following Jamali’s plea.

After a nine-year struggle, Sadiq expressed his gratitude for the court’s decision. He shared that his late father, who had always encouraged his dream of becoming a judge, passed away in 2018 before witnessing his son’s achievement.