Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry on Wednesday expressed his gratitude to the legal fraternity for carrying out exemplary peaceful struggle for rule of law in the society and urged its support to root out corruption from judiciary.
In a letter sent to Presidents of all the Bar associations in the country, the CJ called upon the members of the legal fraternity to redirect their efforts and focus their attention on improving the quality and process of dispensation of justice.
The Chief Justice said: "I wish to bring to limelight one crucial issue, ie the prevalence of culture of corruption in the judiciary. Corruption must be eradicated root and branch from the judiciary. In this regard, heavy burden is cast on your shoulders as officers of the court."
I will urge you to pinpoint and identify persons involved in corrupt practices and report the same to the concerned Chief Justice of High Court, through the Registrar. A copy may also be forwarded to the Registrar of Supreme Court of Pakistan, the letter added.
For this purpose I am convening a meeting of the National Judicial (Policy Making) Committee (NJPMC) soon, which includes the Chief Justices of the four High Courts as members, to consider inter alia the matter of establishing a cell in the high courts for taking necessary action against such persons.
Addressing the legal fraternity, the CJ further said: "The people of Pakistan have reposed great confidence in the system of administration of justice. It is, therefore, incumbent upon us all - members of the bench and the Bar - to work in unison and work hard, so as to repay our debt to the nation, especially litigant parties, aggrieved persons and victim of oppression, to have their cases/causes expeditiously decided through free, fair and impartial dispensation of justice."
The architecture of the judicial entity stands on twin pillars, the bench and the Bar. The bench and the Bar, in many respects are indistinguishable, in not only building the entity but in realising its stated aims and objectives.
It is through mutual co-operation and co-ordination of efforts between the two, that the aims and objects of administration of justice can be achieved. In the past the relation between the bench and the Bar had not been ideal, however, the leading role of the Bar in the recent movement for restoration of judges has paved way for cordial relations between the two. A major hurdle in the dispensation of justice is unnecessary adjournments also, which has to be avoided. The Bar can and must play positive role in this regard, the letter further added.
I will endeavour to have close interaction with you, to hear your point of view and suggestions so as to further the cause of justice and expedite trial proceedings in courts. The dispensation of justice is a noble mission and Insha-Allah, we will jointly pursue this mission, so as to bring stability to the system and grant relief to the needy and aggrieved, the letter added.