People pin high hopes on independent judiciary: CJP
Pakistan
People pin high hopes on independent judiciary: CJP
Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry has asked the subordinate judiciary to dispense justice quickly but on merit to maintain its image among the masses.Addressing the members of district judiciary from Lahore, Sheikhupura and Kasur at Punjab Judicial Academy Auditorium on Saturday, he said that district judiciary was the backbone of judicial system and its role was very significant and important. He said that superior judiciary and district judiciary are equally responsible for dispensation of justice, rather district judiciarys role was more critical as a large number of people approach it for justice and only a few could afford to go to superior courts. The CJP said the guide lines had been set for quick disposal of cases in National Judicial Policy (NJP) and now there should not be delay in this regard. He said that cases were divided in two groups under NJP, old cases and cases after January 1,2009 but it was frustrating to note that attention was not being paid to old cases.The CJP said the judiciary was getting good salaries in punjab but despite that its performance was not satisfactory. we must endeavour to improve collective performance to maintain respect and honour of judiciary, he observed. The CJP also appreciated the role of media for pointing out weaknesses in judiciary. Lahore High Court Chief Justice Khawaja Muhammad Sharif also spoke on the occasion and assured CJP that efforts would be made to reduce the backlog of cases. Senior Judge of LHC Justice Ijaz Ahmad Chaudhry,Advocate General Punjab Muhammad Hanif Khatana and a large number of judicial officers from Lahore, Sheikhupura and Kasur were present on this occasion.
