Lawyers alone started struggle for rule of law: CJP

ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry has said that in our legal history the lawyers individually started the struggle for the rule of law and independence of judiciary.

He said the bars had not only supported such an individual efforts but by collective actions through Bar Associations which challenged many unconstitutional and illegal acts.

He was addressing at a ceremony held here on Thursday after administering oath to newly elected office bearers of the Islamabad High Court Bar Association.

He said the lawyer’s community lead a historic movement for the maintenance of rule of law, independence of judiciary and the restoration of 1973 Constitution in its real form and spirit.

The Lawyer' Movement played pivotal role, in collaboration with the independent media and civil society, he added.

"Indeed this success has brought the lawyers to face the new challenges. Now it is responsibility to respond the aspirations of citizens of the country in delivering quick and inexpensive justice," he added.

Eulogizing role of lawyers he said they had a professional role as well as responsibility towards the citizens to create a culture of rule of law which was the foundation of democracy.

"The responsibility of lawyer has increased many fold in our society where there is lack of education, awareness and financial resources to hire a counsel in order to protect their legal rights," he added.

"I would just mention here few important cases from the judicial history e.g Asma Jillani vs Government of the Punjab[1], Sharif Faridi vs. The Government of Pakistan[2], Al-Jihad Trust vs. Federation of Pakistan [3], Zafar Ali Shah vs. Chief of Army Staff [4] etc and last but not the least, the representatives of Sindh High Court Bar Association in the case of Sindh High Court Bar Association vs. Federation of Pakistan[5], which highlight the role of lawyers and Bar Associations for the cause of rule of law and independence of judiciary," he added.

The Chief Justice said the cooperation between Bench and the Bar was a sine quo non for smooth judicial operations at various hierarchies.

Therefore, the Bench and Bar being the wheels of the same chariot of justice should constantly endeavour individually and collectively to enhance the prestige of the judicial organ, he added.

Giving further words of advice he said thus, it was in the interest of both the Bench and the Bar and indeed in the entire judicial system of the country to provide an environment based on mutual interest and respect fostering a culture of credibility ensuring substantial justice to be meted out at the entire satisfaction of the litigant public.

The Chief Justice further exhorted the legal fraternity by saying that they should uphold the cause of Constitution and Rule of Law, which guaranteed fair and equal treatment, irrespective of their status and thus promoted human values for the welfare of the citizens.

"It is thus our duty to protect the democratic values," he added.

He said after a historic verdict delivered by the apex court, the Islamabad High Court was re-established making necessary amendments in the Constitution.

"I am sure that the newly established Islamabad High Court under the competent leadership of its Chief Justice Iqbal Hameed- ur-Rehman will meet the aspirations of the people in the dispensation of justice," he expressed his optimism.

Copyright APP (Associated Press of Pakistan), 2011