Chief Justice of Pakistan Asif Saeed Khan Khosa has advised lawyers to have command over history, mathematics and literature. The Chief Justice was addressing a certificate awarding ceremony here at Federal Judicial Academy on Monday. "We all must have to self-retrospect to preserve the nobility of this profession."
He stated that all professions are noble, but three - divinity, law and medicine - are generally considered to be the noblest of all. He said that in divinity the holy personages treated souls of the people, doctors dealt with the bodily pains of individuals but on the other hand, lawyers dealt with the ailments of a society ranging from economic, criminal, property issues and civil rights. So the range of activities the lawyers indulged in are far wider than those by medicine and divinity."
Sharing his childhood as well as academic and professional career memories with the audience, the Chief Justice said; "We have had witnessed enviable respect for lawyers and judges due to the nobility attached to the legal profession."
Unfortunately, things have changed altogether recently from 2007 to 2009 when the legal community in Pakistan earned more respect as they championed the very big cause of the independence of judiciary. However, he regretted that the situation at present is not that rosy. "We must have to launch a movement for the restoration of nobility of legal profession," the CJP maintained.
He said in the current age, a good lawyer needs to have a much more well-rounded personality as he is now supposed to deal with multiple statutes and other disciplines in the courts as every social, economic and political issue ultimately ends up in court of law.
He said young lawyers must have to learn from their seniors and they must have to show respect for their senior lawyers. There is no substitute of hard work. Hard work is a key to success in legal profession, he added. Always try to conduct research to gather facts and precedents about the case in question. Books are the best tool in this profession, he further said.
"Never ever shatter the trust and confidence of the client. You should never run after money, but professional excellence. Legal profession is a profession, but not a business. Serve the humanity with utmost devotion and dedication and Allah will compensate you in all manners," he advised the lawyers.
Earlier, Director General FJA Hayat Ali Shah presented a welcome address, while Director Academics Judge Fakhar Zaman presented brief overview of the continuing legal education, among other things. In the end, 30 trainees, both male and female lawyers, from the District Bar Association Islamabad were awarded certificates.