23/12/2024, 19:03 The Punjab Defamation Act 2024 (2) A Member shall be appointed by the Government in consultation with the Chief Justice of the Lahore High Court, and no person shall be appointed as a Member unless he has been a Judge of the Lahore High Court; or is or has been a District Judge or is an Advocate of Supreme Court of Pakistan, qualified to be appointed as a Judge of the Lahore High Court. (3) For the purposes of sub-section (2), in order to achieve effective, meaningful and purposive consensus, and to ensure transparency, the process for appointment of the Member shall be as follows: (a) where the Member is to be appointed is from the judiciary, the Chief Justice shall nominate three (3) qualified persons, and the Government shall appoint one of such three as the Member. In case the Government is not satisfied as to the qualification or suitability of any of the three nominations, it shall return the recommendation with reasons to be recorded in writing, whereupon the Chief Justice shall send a fresh recommendation of three nominees, till a Member is appointed as per the procedure prescribed herein; (b) where the Member is to be appointed is from the legal fraternity, the Government shall nominate three (3) qualified persons, and the Chief Justice shall approve one of such three as the Member. In case the Chief Justice is not satisfied as to the qualification or suitability of any of the three nominations, he shall return the recommendation with reasons to be recorded in writing, whereupon the Government shall send a fresh recommendation of three nominees, till a Member is appointed as per the procedure prescribed herein. (4) A Tribunal shall hold its sittings at such place within its territorial jurisdiction as may be determined by the Government. (5) A Member shall be initially appointed for a term of three years or till reaching the retiring age, whichever is earlier, from the date on which he enters upon office. (6) The term of the office of the Members shall be subject to renewal after every eighteen (18) months after evaluation of their performance by a Performance Review Committee, to be constituted under the Rules. The Committee shall evaluate the Members on the following touchstone: (a) adherence to statutory timelines; 50% (b) competence and fitness; 25% (c) integrity. 25% (7) The retiring age of the Member, not being a serving District Judge, shall be seventy (70) years. (8) The salary, allowances and other terms and conditions of service of a person appointed as a Member, including that of a serving District Judge while discharging his duty as Member, shall be such as the Government may determine by the Rules. In case of a serving District Judge, he will be entitled to such additional allowances and benefits, which shall equate his benefits as that of any other Member appointed by the Government in terms of this section and the Rules made under this Act. 9. Resignation and removal of Member.– (1) A person, not being a serving District Judge, appointed as a Member under section 8 may, by notice in writing under his hand addressed to the Government, resign from his office. (2) A person appointed as a Member under section 8 may be removed from the office by the Government prior to completion of his tenure, after seeking consultation with the Chief Justice of the Lahore High Court. punjablaws.gov.pk/laws/2884.html 6/13