LAHORE: Chief Justice Saqib Nisar has said that the judiciary will not let anyone trample democracy in the country.
He stressed that the Supreme Court (SC) is an independent institution which does not take into account ‘what people say’.
“Judiciary is independent and everyone should be proud of it.
“We will not let democracy trampled and ensure the rule of law in the country,” the CJ asserted while addressing the Lahore High Court Bar Association (LHCBA) seminar on Saturday.
He said an honest leadership can change the fate of people, adding that the country needed an honest leadership, education and a strong judicial system.
“Unfortunately, the country is facing huge problems but we should not get panicked and face such challenges together.
“Challenges do come in the life of a nation but a fair and honest leadership steers it from difficult times and change the fate of its people,” the CJ remarked.
“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 fundamental rights of people in accordance with the law,” he opined.
The CJ dismissed undue criticism of courts and said the captain depends on his team and the Supreme Court is incomplete without Justice Asif Saeed Khosa.
“The team captain is dependent on his team entirely,” Nisar told the group in reference to the relationship between the lawyers and judges of Pakistan.
The CJ said he was commander of lakhs of lawyers and he would defeat those insulting judges, with the help of his force.
The rule of law and constitutional will be supreme in the county and no one would be allowed to derail the democratic process. “Judiciary is completely independent and all citizens should be proud of this,” he added.
We will not lose temper and keep demonstrating tolerance and perseverance against all negative criticism.
The CJ hinted that judiciary is passing through tough times; however, he did not explain it. He appealed to lawyer to cooperate with him for a year and if he failed to deliver justice, he would be answerable to the people.
Judiciary would play the role of watchdog and help cull the anarchy and unrest.
“All the members of the bench are honest and competent. Without Justice Ejaz Afzal, the bench is incomplete,” he said.
He designated Justice Khosa as the head of the bench hearing Nehal Hashmi’s case and assured of hearing soon. Justice Ejaz Afzal and Justice Sheikh Azmat Saeed would also be the part of the bench, he added.
He termed the bar and the bench indispensable for each other’s integrity and the crippling of either of the two cripples the whole institution. He said that it was the duty of the judiciary to eliminate discord and provide justice as a duty, not favour to anyone.
“No judge has the authority to decide cases as per personal whims,” he remarked.
He further said that pensioners required “sifarish” to draw pension from the institution they served their whole lives. “Those who are responsible for the downtrodden are not able to cater to them properly,” he remarked.
“Nations confront challenges, but they face them with steadfastness. One year of uprightness develops into a habit ultimately.” he said. “We need a robust judicial system, honest leadership and education. We have to dispense justice with patience and perseverance.”
Praising the apex court’s bench, Justice Nisar said all judges were capable and an epitome of honesty.
He also said that judges have no right to make decisions based on their own likes and dislikes, and are bound by law to make independent decisions.
“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.
“We are answerable for the work we do here. If judges cannot dispense what is required of them and give justice according to law, then they should retire,” he said.
The CJ remarked, “It is my command to all sessions judges that they should provide him 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 also regretted that judges were not getting pension after getting retirement from the service of the country.
