The Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP), Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry here on Sunday made it clear that the Supreme Court had no designs to weaken the democratic system in the country as the judiciary itself rendered great sacrifices to put the country on path to democracy.
He was talking to local lawyers' community during his maiden visit to Peshawar after being restored as top adjudicator of the country on March 16, 2009.
The lawyers' delegation led by President Supreme Court Bar Association, Qazi Muhammad Anwar and PHCBA President Syed Atique Shah called on him here at Supreme Court Registry. Chief Justice of Peshawar High Court Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan and other judges of High Court were also present on the occasion.
His visit was basically aimed at offering condolences with the family of slain senior lawyer and former Advocate General Muhammad Sardar Khan. The chief justice paid rich tributes to Sardar Khan who was gunned down in Islamabad on Wednesday last, saying that the deceased also remained on the frontline for the struggle to establish rule of law in the country.
"We lost a straightforward and an upright lawyer," he said, adding that a condolence reference should be held to enumerate his services for the profession of law. He visited his residence on Shami Road and condoled with members of the bereaved family. He offered Fateha for the departed soul. Speaking on the occasion, Chief Justice of Pakistan, Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry said that the bar and the bench had only one relation and this is to establish the rule of law. "Deviation from the rule of law would spoil our struggle for independence of judiciary," he maintained.
The chief justice linked the quick dispensation of cases to the immediate induction of judges at the superior courts. He said the main problem the judiciary is presently faced with is filling the vacant positions at superior courts. The Chief Justice stressed the need for strict observance of merit policy and integrity for elevation and appointment of judges. The Chief Justice of Pakistan called for rule of law and supremacy of constitution, which is imperative for provision of speedy justice to litigants.
Responding a query regarding the trend of corruption at the subordinate judiciary, he said the Supreme Court was working out a comprehensive strategy, which would help put a complete end to corrupt practices at lower courts.
When one of the lawyers drew his attention towards the case of Dr Afia, the chief justice remarked that the Supreme Court had no jurisdiction in the United States. On this occasion, the Ex-president of the Peshawar High Court Bar Association (PHCBA), Abdul Lateef Afridi, floated the idea of inducting judges at the subordinate judiciary exclusively from the bar. However, PHCBA president Syed Muhammad Atiq Shah said at least five-year experience as practising lawyer be made mandatory for the candidates of civil judges. The lawyers delegation also appraised the Chief Justice of their problems.