Courts are independent: CJP Gulzar Ahmed

LAHORE: Chief Justice of Pakistan Gulzar Ahmed asserted on Saturday that the courts are independent and would remain independent and all decisions are free of any coercion or pressure.

“Establishing rule of law and protection of fundamental rights is our job. If we do not do this, we will deviate from our oath. The courts should not delay in granting fundamental rights,” CJP added.

Addressing the Punjab Bar Council, CJP Gulzar reminded that the judiciary has no tendency and every decision take is subject to the law, adding that the courts are independent and all decisions are free from any kind of pressure.

He said if someone indicates a mistake in a judge’s decision it would be appreciated because the judges would definitely learn from their mistakes. But none got the license to attack judges.

“The pending cases in the courts are the biggest problem for us. The pandemic has led to an increase in the number of pending cases, but our judges are serious in deciding these cases. We want the lawyers to help resolve this difficult issue,” he said.

He said that the job of lawyers is to assist the judges and it is against the norms of the legal profession to misbehave with the judges. Professional lawyers do not protest but follow the available legal path.

CJP said that frivolous litigation is also a burden on the judicial system and lawyers could play a key role in reducing it.

He stressed that the lawyers should encourage and educate litigants about alternate dispute resolution instead of dragging cases in the courts. He further said that the infrastructure of district courts seems to be deprived of modern requirements and basic facilities, and the government should pay attention to it. He asked the chief justices of the high courts to ensure all possible steps to improve the infrastructure.

CJP said the judicial commission for appointment of judges has become more open and democratic than before.

“Only the decision of the chief justice of Pakistan does not matter. Every member is given an opportunity to speak and give an opinion and at the end any induction is adopted or rejected through voting,” he added.

Addressing the seminar, Chief Justice Lahore High Court Justice Ameer Bhatti expressed concern over lawyers’ attack on a judge in Mandi Bahauddin and raised the question “does anyone attack his own house”.

He defended booking of violent lawyers under anti-terrorism provisions and said he had left with no option. He pointed out that if the lawyers treat the judiciary like this then what would they expect in return.

“Are you licensed to attack the court, does anyone attack his father. Opposing a decision does not necessarily mean attacking the court, Justice Bhatti said.

Speaking on the occasion, Advocate General Punjab Ahmed Owais said that intolerance is taking a toll in Pakistani society. He condemned both incidents of lawyers’ attack on a judge and lynching of a Sri Lankan national.

Judges of the Lahore High Court and subordinate judiciary were also present. Vice chairman Punjab Bar Council Farhan Shehzad and other members also participated.