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Sunday, November 24, 2013Judiciary made democratic system stronger, says CJP
* Justice Iftikhar says courts have disposed of millions of cases since implementation of judicial policy in 2009
ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice of Pakistan, Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry Saturday said that due to the vital role of judiciary, the democratic system is stronger than ever in the country and no one can derail it in future.
Justice Iftikhar was speaking at a meeting of the National Judicial (Policy-making) Committee (NJPMC), which he also chaired. He observed that the Election Commission of Pakistan also got strength after the decision of the apex court whereby 20th Constitution Amendment was introduced aimed at validating the actions taken by the election commission until its proper constitution, especially conducting by-elections in the interregnum. He said that the court also blocked the access to parliament for those whose antecedents did not call for representing the people which resulted in paving way to strengthen democracy by smooth transition of power to the representatives of the people of Pakistan.
The chief justice said that the courts have disposed of millions of cases since implementation of the policy in June 2009, however, millions of new cases have also been instituted during the period, but disposal figure is higher than the institution, which is a great achievement of the policy. The apex court has also disposed off thousands of human rights related appeals and petitions through its Human Right Cell by deciding 189,765 appeals and petitions along with other routine cases in the years from 2009 to 2013, he added.
He also pointed out to the shortage of judicial officers and inadequate infrastructure for which the Finance Ministry has made commitment to allocate requisite funds. “We have always shown zero tolerance for corruption and corrupt practices and issued directions for strict disciplinary action against the judicial officers and court staff involved in corrupt practices. In this regard, besides establishment of cells for eradication of corruption in the high courts, committees have also been constituted at district level under the chairmanship of district and sessions judges to entertain complaints against corrupt court staff, judicial officer and even against the munshis and touts, etc.
“During the last couple of years scores of judicial officers and court staff involved in corrupt practices have been taken to task by way of removal from service,” Justice Iftikhar said. He added that it is need of the hour that the government take drastic steps for eradication of corruption from the government institutions. The chief justice also referred to a letter of Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah written to Mirza Aboul Hassan Ispahani in 1945 wherein he stated, “Corruption is a curse in India and amongst Muslims, especially the so-called educated and intelligentsia. Unfortunately, it is this class that is selfish and morally and intellectual corrupt. No doubt this disease is common, but amongst this particular class of Muslims it is rampant.”
Quaid-i-Azam referred to corruption as a disease, he added. Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry referred to the judgment of the Supreme Court titled Riaz-ul-Haq Vs Federation of Pakistan (PLD, 2013, SC-501) wherein it has been held that both federal and provincial tribunals perform vital judicial functions by adjudicating upon issues pertaining to the terms and conditions of civil servants, therefore, appropriate legislation may be made for appointment of chairmen and members of the tribunals in accordance with law and constitution.
He added that the provincial governments have made legislation in this regard. However, non-availability of such legislation on the part of the federal government has resulted in huge pendency of such cases due to which thousands of litigants are facing hardship. The committee also considered the recommendations of International Judicial Conference, 2013 and one-day workshop titled “Prisoners Vulnerability, Lacking Awareness”, which was held on November, 2 and approved the same for implementation by the quarters concerned. app
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk