Won’t let democracy down: CJP

LAHORE: Chief Justice Saqib Nisar has said the judiciary will not let anyone trample democracy and ensure the supremacy of the rule of law in the country, the CJP asserted while addressing the Lahore High Court Bar Association on Saturday.

He stressed that the Supreme Court is an independent institution which does not take into account ‘what people say’. “Judiciary is independent and everyone should be proud of it. He said an honest leadership can change the fate of the people.

“Unfortunately, the country is facing huge problems but we should not panic and face them with resolve and steadfastness. “Challenges do come in the life of nations but an honest and capable leadership steers it away from difficult times and changes the fate of its people,” the CJP remarked. “We need a robust judicial system, honest leadership and education. We have to dispense justice with patience and perseverance.”

“As long as the state is becoming powerful, the infringement of people’s rights is also growing; however, the judiciary is playing its constitutional role to protect the fundamental rights of the people in accordance with the law,” he opined.

Praising the apex court’s bench, Justice Nisar said all judges are capable and an epitome of honesty. He dismissed undue criticism of courts and said the Supreme Court is incomplete without Justice Asif Saeed Khosa and Justice Ejaz Afzal. “The team captain is dependent entirely on his team,” Nisar said while referring to the relationship between the lawyers and judges. The CJP said he was commander of lakhs of lawyers and he would defeat those insulting judges, with the help of his force. We will not lose temper and keep demonstrating tolerance and perseverance against negative criticism.

The CJ hinted that judiciary is passing through tough times; however, but he did not explain it. “If anyone thinks that being a judge is a paid vacation, they should think again. Every judge has the responsibility of dispensing justice to the people. Judiciary would play the role of watchdog and help overcome anarchy and unrest.

He appealed to the lawyers to cooperate with him for a year and if he failed to deliver justice, he would be answerable to the people. He termed the bar and the bench indispensable for each other’s integrity and said the crippling of either, cripples the whole institution. The CJ said “it is my command to all the sessions judges to provide him with details about the cases in which the stay orders were granted due to influence of the bar leaders.” “I’ll personally monitor it,” the chief justice remarked.

He said that it is the duty of the judiciary to eliminate discord and provide justice, and not to favour anyone.“No judge has the authority to decide cases on his personal whims,” he remarked and added they are bound by law to make independent decisions. “We are answerable for the work we do here. If the judges cannot dispense what is required of them and give justice according to law, then they should retire,” he said.

He regretted that judges are not getting pensions. He further said the pensioners required “sifarish” to draw pension from the institution they had served throughout their lives. “Those responsible for the downtrodden are not able to cater to them properly,” he remarked.

Meanwhile, the CJP designated Justice Asif Saeed Khosa as the head of the bench hearing Nehal Hashmi’s case. Justice Ejaz Afzal and Justice Sheikh Azmat Saeed would also be the part of the bench, he said.