LHC CJ hopes to see truly equal rights

Envisions a country in which nobody is denied their basic privileges

LAHORE: Lahore High Court Chief Justice (CJ) Sardar Muhammad Shamim Khan said every citizen wants to see Pakistan as a developed nation in which every one of them has equal rights.

The CJ was addressing the concluding ceremony of a three-day workshop at the Punjab Judicial Academy on gender-based violence. He emphasised the need for collective efforts to realise the dream of every citizen who hoped for equal rights, as guaranteed by the Constitution of Pakistan.

He said people wanted to see Pakistan developed into a nation where no citizen could be deprived of their basic rights. He hoped to see the rights of all people being protected and envisioned a society with no sign of cruelty.

CJ Shamim Khan said in order to realise this vision, every citizen would have to serve the country in a responsible manner. He seemed optimistic that the day was not far when Pakistani society emerges in accordance with Islamic principles.

Sardar Muhammad Shamim Khan sworn in as 48th Chief Justice of LHC

“Under the Constitution of Pakistan, we have to ensure the protection of the rights of every citizen if we want to put this country in the right direction” the CJ remarked.

He said the workshop, organised as a result of collective efforts between the Asian Development Bank, Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan and Punjab Judicial Academy, held great importance for judicial officers

He said not only were women the target of physical violence, harassment, psychological abuse and economic oppression, but also children, men and transgender people.

He said transgender courts had been set up so that victims could openly express their grievances in an environment where they were more comfortable. He thanked the Punjab Judicial Academy for providing the best training workshops to judicial officers of gender-based courts.

He later distributed certificates amongst judicial officers who attended the workshop across Pakistan.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 1^st, 2019.