CJP calls for updating existing laws

Says no nation can thrive without good education system

LAHORE: Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar has said protection of fundamental rights of the people is the key function of the judiciary, stressing the need for synchronising the existing laws with the requirement of modern times.

Speaking at a function hosted by the Lahore Institute of Health Sciences (LIHS) on Saturday, Pakistan’s top judge expressed concerns over the plight of the education sector and a low literacy rate in the country.

“No society or nation can thrive without a good education system but unfortunately this sector has been neglected in our country,” Chief Justice Nisar told the audience, adding that without education there remained just a downtrodden society.

Referring to his visits to the education institutions of the country, the chief justice said that in most parts of Balochistan there were no schools. And many existing schools lacked basic facilities, such as boundary walls, clean water, toilets etc. “Some schools are used as stables for animals by the landlords.”

Chief Justice Nisar emphasised that an honest leadership was imperative for the progress and prosperity of any country.

He said the British-era laws which were being followed in Pakistan, were not in consonance with Islam and local traditions.

He said that the rule of Hazrat Umar (RA) was ideal in the state of Madina after the era of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). He stressed the need of synchronising the existing laws with the demands of modern times.