Raising 16 to 29

The proposed increase in the number of Supreme Court judges, from 16 to 29, reminds me of an anecdote that I want to share with your readers. When the position of the Adjutant General of Pak army fell vacant, General Zia asked for names of the probable from VCOAS General Beg, who sent him the names of 11 generals of his choice. Seeing the list General Zia enquired from his Chief of Staff, General Rafaqat, as to whose name was not in the list. Having found the missing name, he appointed General Abdul Waheed Kakar as the AG, somewhat to the dismay of General Beg. A few days later Gen. Zia sent an application of the daughter of a politician seeking admission in the Armed Forces Medical College to General Beg to accommodate her. General Beg forwarded it to the AG under whom the college came. The AG refused citing the rules. Beg informed General Zia who walked in unannounced into office of the AG and asked him about the girl's admission. The AG said, "Sir, under the rules she cannot be admitted, but if you order I will do it". With this, he pushed the file to the President for orders. Zia couldn't flout his own laid down rules and said "But I am sure there must be a way out to it". The AG said, " Sir, I have examined all options. She is 79th on merit list and we have only 60 seats. Zia ordered the number of the seats to be raised from 60 to 80. -COL. (Retd) RIAZ JAFRI, Rawalpindi, via e-mail, June 12. 

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