HARIPUR: The struggle of district attorneys for tenant rights, fair wages in sweatshops, consumer protection, and environmental justice goes largely unacknowledged, said deputy district attorney Mohammad Tariq Khan Tareen on Wednesday.

“There are inconsistent and demotivating service rules and working environments compared to other professions with similar qualifications,” Mr Tareen told Dawn.

He said the pulsating heart of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s legal system beat not just in the fiery pronouncements of criminal trials but within the quieter chambers of civil litigation as well.

He, however, said the role of district attorneys remained shrouded in anonymity.

“Their victories, though quietly achieved, have a pivotal role in the very fabric of a just society,” he said.

Mr Tareen said that path was marked by challenges.

He said despite having LLB degrees, deemed equivalent to master’s qualifications by the Supreme Court, the district attorneys entered the service at a lower level (BPS-17) compared to other professions requiring only bachelor’s degrees.

“This inconsistency not onlydemotivates aspiring legal minds but also creates a disparity that needs redressal,” he said.

The deputy district attorney said the current rigid hierarchy, with promotions culminating at BPS-19, was tantamount to stifling their potential, as unlike other professions, including stenographers and section officers who ascend to higher echelons, district attorneys find their career paths prematurely truncated.

“This stagnation impedesthe efficient functioning of the legal system and undermines the utilization of their vital expertise,” he said.

Mr Tareen found the absence of basic amenities like official accommodation for transferred attorneys as one of the hurdles they faced.

He lamented the disparity in perks and privileges and said the role of district attorneys was overlooked inthe justice system.

“There are only 77 attorneys across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. This is an alarmingly low number compared to public prosecutors and thus, impacting their ability to efficiently managecaseloads and deliver timely justice. The lack of fair career progression opportunitiesand equitable recognition compared to other provinces like Balochistan and Sindh created adisheartening sense of disparity,” he said.

He, however, said against all odds, the spirit of district attorneys was “shining.”

He claimed that numerous district attorneys in the province had continued to “navigate complex legal landscapes, securing victories that saved millions of public assets, defend government policies, and ensure fair play in consumer courts, labor tribunals, and a spectrum of other specialised forums.”

“It’s time for a change. We need to acknowledge the district attorneys not just as cogs in the legal machine, but as its beating heart. They deserve a system that recognizes their expertise, rewardstheir dedication, and empowers them to reach their full potential,” he said.

He urged authorities to provide district attorneys withadequate resources, fair career progression, and the recognition, including professionalallowances and a quota in the office of advocate general.

Published in Dawn, May 2nd, 2024