Peshawar: The Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has notified amendments to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Judicial Service Rules, 2001, introducing significant changes to the criteria for promotion and appointment within the provincial judicial service.According to a notification issued by the Law, Parliamentary Affairs and Human Rights Department, the amendments have been made under Section 26 of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Civil Servants Act, 1973, on the directions of the Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.Under the amended rules, the long-standing criterion of 'seniority-cum-fitness' for promotions has been replaced with 'selection on merit.' In Rule 5, Clause (b), promotions will now be made strictly on merit-based selection. Clause (c) has been revised to provide that not less than two-thirds of posts shall be filled by promotion on the basis of selection on merit, on the recommendation of the Departmental Promotion Committee, from among Senior Civil Judges-cum-Judicial Magistrates empowered under Section 30 of t he Criminal Procedure Code or Aala Alaqa Qazis.Similarly, in Clause (d) of Rule 5, the words 'seniority-cum-fitness' have been substituted with 'selection on merit.' A new clause (f) has also been inserted, making it mandatory that no regular promotion to posts in Basic Pay Scales 19 to 21 shall be made unless the concerned officer has completed the prescribed minimum length of service, attended required training, and passed examinations as may be determined by the High Court.Additionally, an amendment has been made to Rule 7 relating to direct appointments. In sub-rule (1), Clause (a), the requirement of having practiced law in the High Court or subordinate courts for at least two years after enrollment as an advocate has been deleted.The notification has been issued with the approval of the competent authority and signed by the Secretary, Law, Parliamentary Affairs and Human Rights Department, Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.