CJP asks lawyers to lift vocation’s dignity

Khosa says legal fraternity earned respect in 2007 by championing a noble cause

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ISLAMABAD:
Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Asif Saeed Khan Khosa has urged lawyers to launch a movement for restoration of the dignity of legal profession – Tehreek Bahali Izat-e-Wukula.

“Unfortunately, things have changed altogether recently. From 2007 to 2009, the legal community in Pakistan earned more respect as they championed the very big cause of the independence of judiciary. However, the situation at present is not that rosy.

“We must have to launch a movement for the restoration of the dignity of legal profession,” the CJP said while addressing a certificate awarding ceremony under a one-week course ‘Continuing Legal Education: Professional Development Package for Members of the Bar’ at the Federal Judicial Academy on Monday.

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Justice Khosa said the legal profession has always been considered a noble profession, adding that this profession is nothing sans its ideals and ethics. “We all must have to do self-introspection to preserve the nobility of this profession.”

The chief justice said three professions are generally considered to be the noblest of all. They are divinity, law and medicine. Down the ages, these professions have been looked up with reverence.

In divinity, he said, the holy figures treated souls; doctors dealt with the bodily pains but lawyers dealt with the ailments of a society ranging from economic, criminal, property issues and civil rights. “So the range of activities the lawyers indulge in are far wider than those of medicine and divinity”.


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Sharing his childhood, academic and professional career memories, the CJP said, “We have witnessed enviable respect for lawyers and judges due to the nobility attached to the legal profession only.”

Referring to a quote from the world-acclaimed English jurist Lord Denning, he advised the lawyers to have command over history, mathematics and literature to become a good lawyer.

“In the current age, a good lawyer needs to have a much more well-rounded personality as he is now supposed to deal with multiple statutes and other disciplines in the courts. Unfortunately, in this country, every social, economic and political issue ultimately ends up in court of law.”

He told the audience about two towering personalities of the legal profession in the country and the way they used to present, argue and counter-argue their cases. They were AK Brohi and SM Zafar.

“Young lawyers must learn from their seniors and they must show respect to them,” he added.  Giving a word of advice to young lawyers, the chief justice said there is no substitute for hard work.  Hard work is the key to success in legal profession.

“Always try to conduct research to gather facts and precedents about the case in question.  Books are the best tool in this profession.  Never ever shatter the trust and confidence of the client.

“You should never run after money, but professional excellence. Legal profession is a profession, not a business. Serve the humanity with utmost devotion and dedication and Allah Kareem will compensate you in all manners,” he added.
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