Judiciary won’t come under pressure: Justice Saqib

Says no compromises will be made; judiciary needs to restore public trust, its credibility among masses; all cases to be decided on merit; LHC CJ Syed Mansoor Ali Shah says positive changes observed in judiciary following implementation of reforms

LAHORE: The Chief Justice-designate of Pakistan, Justice Mian Saqib Nisar, has said the judiciary would not take any pressure and would dispense justice without any fear and favour. He said all the decisions will be made on merit.

Addressing lawyers at the Lahore High Court Bar Association on Saturday, Justice Nisar said he would never compromise on principles, and establishment of rule of law would be his aim. He said his elders taught him not to cheat anybody and side always with the truth. He said he started practice as a lawyer with a bench and a broken table at his office. He said hard work was the real strength of anybody. He said through shortcuts, one could get temporary benefit but real goal can never be achieved.

Saqib Nisar said that he was not going to make any commitment to change the system but said he would make his utmost efforts to do so.

He said that for a judge, honesty was essential. He added that the judiciary needs to restore public trust and its credibility among the masses. He said that he would not take pressure and make compromises. He urged the audience to pray for his success.

Justice Nisar said that the bar was a complete institution but today there was a dearth of training and etiquette among the lawyers. He said that today there was no special regard for seniors in the bar. "We should try to bring back our the old traditions and ensure respect for seniors in the bar."

Justice Nisar said judges should dispense justice with patience. He promised to the lawyers that he would not compromise on fulfilling his responsibilities. He said the bar was like his mother and he promised that he would not disappoint it. He said that appointments of judges were the base of solidarity of the judicial institution. He said judges of the superior courts should be hard working and articulate. He said, "The lawyers should promise of not disturbing the judges and, in return, he takes responsibility of delivering justice."

During his speech, LHCBA President Rana Zia Abdul Rehman responded to the chief justice-designate, saying that the lawyers learnt closing the doors of the courts during their movement for restoration of judiciary. He said there were huge responsibilities on the shoulders of Justice Nisar as the matter of Panamagate was pending before the Supreme Court. At this, lawyers started chanting slogans against Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

Meanwhile, Lahore High Court Chief Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah said positive changes have been observed in the judiciary following the implementation of reforms. He urged employees to only focus on work during duty hours for provision of timely justice to masses.  At the end of ceremony, certificates were awarded to 25 lawyers for vibrant performance.