Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry on Tuesday expressed his gratitude to Almighty Allah for restoration of real judiciary with a resolve to eradicate corruption from the judiciary.
"It is a matter of great satisfaction that by the grace of Almighty Allah, real court has been restored after a long time," said the Chief Justice in response to a welcome statement made by Additional Secretary of Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) Zulfiqar Maluka on his arrival in Bench-1 of the apex court.
Headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, the bench comprised Justice Mian Shakirullah Jan and Justice Nasir-ul-Mulk. Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry was sacked by former President Pervez Musharraf along with almost 60 judges who refused to take oath under the PCO. After his reinstatement on March 16, the Chief Justice reached Supreme Court after 16 months.
A jam-packed courtroom started applauding no sooner did the Chief Justice reached to hear the cases. However, after thanking lawyers, the Chief Justice asked the lawyers to maintain decorum of the court.
In his brief reply to the welcome statement, the Chief Justice asked the legal fraternity to point out occurrence of any irregularity found in judiciary, saying stories of corruption from the lower level of the office of Civil Judge to Supreme Court were common.
"In my opinion, you people still have to continue your struggle to make this institution more dignified and more respectable by eradicating corruption," he said. "In case, you find any irregularity, send an application to the office of Registrar with solid evidence and after its examination, appropriate action would be taken," he said. He added that irregularities in dispensation of justice would not be tolerated, and urged the legal fraternity to identify amongst themselves those who indulged in corruption and report their conduct to respective bar association.
"I am grateful on my behalf and on behalf of my brother judges sitting in different courts," he added. Earlier, Additional Secretary of SCBA Zulifqar Maluka read out welcome statement on behalf of the SCBA.
He said: "Today we gather at the Constitution Avenue and inside the court room no.1 to affirm a faith, a faith in common purpose, a common conviction, a common devotion for rule of law and independence of judiciary.
"Our struggle for rule of law and independence of judiciary has not ended here, rather onerous responsibilities have been placed on our shoulders to seek justice for teeming millions irrespective of their caste or creed, or religion and without making difference between men and women, high or low of the social and economic status. Earlier, the Chief Justice was given a warm welcome when he reached the entry gate of the Supreme Court in the morning. A large number of lawyers, including office-bearers of the Supreme Court Bar Association, Islamabad and Rawalpindi district bar associations, members of civil society, relatives and families of missing persons and other people greeted the Chief Justice, who along with Justice Khalilur Rehman Ramday reached the SC gate at 9:15 am.
Comments
Comments are closed.