Bad governance, corruption main problems: CJP

Says there is need for good basic education for all citizens

KARACHI: Bad governance, corruption and a lack of merit are the basic problems of the country, Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Anwar Zaheer Jamali said on Saturday.

The CJP was addressing the orientation programme of the Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto University of Law (SZABUL) and the launching of its Dr Ishratul Ebad Khan research institute.

The country’s top judge emphasised that there is a need for good basic education for all citizens. He remarked that a strong building cannot be built on weak foundations.

The CJP said that many lawyers face problems in their profession because their basic education was weak. However, he added that they could make up their shortcomings through hard work.

Jamali also revealed that the legal and judicial system of the country have been facing difficulties due to a lack of enforcement of the Urdu language under Article 251 of the Constitution; however,  he expressed hope that the nation will overcome such problems.

The chief justice in his address also remarked about the vast inequality present in the country. He said that one segment of the society could bear the expenses of an expensive education for their children, which allowed them to progress. Meanwhile, the poor segment of the society could not afford the same education and secure a better future of their children.

Jamali said that it was the government’s duty to ensure everyone got equal education opportunities. He also urged the country’s philanthropists to come forward to overcome such problems. The top judge also suggested that private and public institutes should allocate at least a 5% quota of scholarships for students who had attained admission on merit but are unable to meet their educational expenses.

Jamali reiterated that the judiciary was independent and was striving to provide speedy justice to the people despite its limited resources.

Sindh High Court Chief Justice Sajjad Ali Shah in his address urged the students to gain knowledge about the existing laws and emerging challenges in the legal profession. Vice-Chancellor of SZABUL Kazi Khalid Ali also spoke on the occasion.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 4^th, 2016.