LAHORE: The Punjab government is finally selecting a regular law secretary from amongst the 16 candidates from the private sector on Friday after running the department through ad hoc arrangements.

The post fell vacant after the then secretary law, Dr Abul Hasan Najmi, resigned on June 30 last year as a result of litigation challenging his appointment. A former judge, Mr Najmi was the longest ever law secretary who had earlier served as the Punjab Assembly secretary.

Following his resignation, additional charge of the post was given to the law department director legislation, also a former judge. But he too resigned after some time.

The additional charge of the post is being held by Additional Chief Secretary Home Ali Murtaza Shah ever since.

Official said a high-level meeting comprising the additional chief secretary, the additional chief secretary home, secretary regulation and other senior officials was scheduled to select the law secretary from amongst the 16 candidates found eligible for it on Friday.

They included senior lawyers, former judges and a former law department director legislation.—Staff Reporter