Women judges' moot: Judiciary thrives on public trust, says Justice Bandial

Justice Umar Ata Bandial, of the Supreme Court, on Saturday stated that the institution of Judiciary thrive the public trust and added competence, integrity, impartiality and courtesy are the hallmark of a judge. He was speaking at women judges' conference organised jointly by Punjab Judicial Academy (PJA) and Lahore High Court (LHC).

Justice Umar Ata Bandial said the institution of Judiciary does not thrive on coercive laws but upon public trust. The speakers identified problems being faced by marginalized groups of the society in the civil justice system. They face issues relating to implicit bias, custody of children, and access to justice by transgender, and maintenance of court decorum.

The speakers voiced their concerns regarding the need to develop gender sensitivity in cases involving women and put forward a number of recommendations. Designate Chief Justice LHC Justice Mamoon Rashid Sheikh, recognizing the problems recommended the judges to adjudicate in accordance with the law and without any bias.

Focusing on gender and digital world, speakers emphasised on the need to have gender perspective. Justice Ijaz-ul-Ahsan, commenting on the ineffectiveness of the current cyber laws invited the legislatures to address the matter.

A civil judge Yousaf Saleem, nominated for Tamgha-e-Imtiaz talked about the challenges he combated as a visually disabled person and reminded all that the differently disabled persons should not be discriminated against. Justice Umar Ata Bandial was the chief guest on second day of conference while Justice Ijaz ul Ahsan, Justice Mamoon Rashid Sheikh and other judges of the LHC participated in the conference.