ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice of Pakistan, Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry Saturday said that due to vital role of the judiciary, the democratic system is stronger than ever, guaranteeing that no one can derail it in future.
A meeting of the National Judicial (Policy Making) Committee (NJPMC) was held here under the Chairmanship of Chief Justice of Pakistan/Chairman, NJPMC Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry.
The chief justice 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 till 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.
Furthermore, the apex court has also disposed off thousands of human rights related appeals/petitions through its Human Right Cell by deciding 189,765 appeals/petitions along with other routine cases in the years from 2009 to 2013, he added.
He also pointed out to the ground reality of shortage of judicial officers and inadequate infrastructure for which the Finance Ministry has made commitment to allocate the 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 chairmanships of District and Sessions Judge to entertain complaints against corrupt court staff, judicial officer and even against the munshees and touts etc.
During the last couple of years score of judicial officers and court staff involved in corrupt practices have been taken to task by way of removal from service," he said.
He said that it is need of the day that the government should take drastic steps for eradication of corruption from the government institutions. The Chief Justice also referred to a letter of Quaid-e-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-e-Azam referred to corruption as a disease.
Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry referred judgment of Supreme Court titled as Riaz-ul-Haq versus 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 stated 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 on Prisoners Vulnerability - Lacking Awareness, held on November 2 and approved the same for implementation by the concerned quarters.
The meeting was attended by Justice Agha Rafiq Ahmed Khan, Chief Justice, Federal Shariat Court, Justice Qazi Faez Isa, Chief Justice High Court of Balochistan, Justice Maqbool Baqar, Chief Justice High Court of Sindh and Justice Umar Ata Bandial, Chief Justice Lahore High Court and members of the Committee.
Justice Jawwad S. Khawaja, Judge Supreme Court of Pakistan/Chairman National Judicial Automation Committee (NJAC), Justice Muhammad Anwar Khan Kasi, Chief Justice Islamabad High Court, Justice Mohammad Azam Khan, Chief Justice, Supreme Court of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Justice Rana Muhammad Arshad Khan, Chief Judge, Supreme Appellate Court Gilgit Baltistan, Justice Ghulam Mustafa Mughal, Chief Justice, High Court of Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Justice Sahib Khan, Chief Judge, Chief Court of Gilgit Baltistan also attended the meeting on special invitation.
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