News
Sunday, April 01, 2012
No one will be allowed to rise above law: CJP* Chief justice says lawyers’ efforts for upholding rule of law will not go to waste
PESHAWAR: Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry said on Saturday that no one would be allowed to rise above the law and defile the rule of law.
Addressing office-bearers of the Peshawar High Court (PHC) Bar Association, he said lawyers’ efforts for upholding the rule of law would not go to waste.
Justice Chaudhry said the judiciary could not administer justice without cooperation of the bar. “Being wheels of the same chariot of justice, lawyers endeavour individually and collectively to achieve the common objective of administration of justice,” he added. He said that after implementation of the National Judicial Policy, achievements for early dispensation of justice could not be met without cooperation of the legal fraternity. Courts worked hard to achieve the objectives and targets set by the National Judicial Policy and their achievements were the result of whole-hearted support and cooperation from bar members, the chief justice said.
He said lawyers not only had to play a professional role but they also had the duty towards society “to craft a culture of rule of law which is a basis for democracy”.
“The support of the legal fraternity is vital not only for expeditious disposal of cases, but also eradication of evils from the judicial system,” he said.
According to Justice Chaudhry, the legal profession was not an easy job because it was full of responsibilities requiring untiring efforts of learning, devotion and hard work. Lawyers should assist courts in finding the truth, he added. He said the struggle of lawyers had not only kept their traditional values alive, but it had also strengthened judicial institutions. “The historic lawyers’ movement has now imposed all greater responsibilities to respond to the aspirations of the public in dispensation of justice.” He said although lawyers led the struggle for the rule of law and independence of judiciary, bar associations had never lagged behind in supporting these efforts. The chief justice said that equality before law was an essential prerequisite for imparting justice, adding that the legal community had to play a significant role in administration of justice.
He said that imparting justice was a “divine job”, adding that without cooperation and assistance of lawyers this sacred obligation could not see the light of the day.
In the country, Justice Chaudhry said, the reins of rule of law and administration of justice were controlled by the divine Islamic principles. “Islam has emphasised on building a society where there is no one above the law. Social or economic status has never been of any consideration in administration of justice.” Exchange of thoughts and experiences blended with wisdom could open new horizons for meeting the emerging challenges, he said.
“We have always honoured and welcomed the sagacious thoughts of our learned friends to improve the sacred duty of administrating justice,” Justice Chaudhry said. Praising the role of district courts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the chief justice said that these courts were making every endeavour to provide quick relief to the litigants. Justice Mian Shakirullah Jan, Justice Nasirul Mulk, PHC Chief Justice Dost Muhammad Khan, Balochistan High Court Chief Justice Qazi Faez Essa and chief justices of the Lahore High Court, Federal Shariat Court and Gilgit-Baltistan were also present. app
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk