Justice Gulzar vows not to neglect judiciary’s struggles
Incoming CJP laments the condition of district courts in the city
Supreme Court Judge Justice Gulzar Ahmed. PHOTO: FILE
KARACHI:
Vowing not to neglect the challenges faced by the judiciary and lawyers of the country, Supreme Court judge and the next Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Gulzar Ahmed said he would begin addressing the issues faced by the bar after his tenure begins on December 21.
He was speaking at the annual dinner held by the Karachi Bar Association (KBA) at Karachi City Court on Saturday, where he was the chief guest.
The dinner was also attended by Sindh High Court Chief Justice Ahmed Ali Shaikh and Pakistan Attorney-General Anwar Mansoor Khan, as well as other judges and senior lawyers.
"I feel sorry and ashamed with the condition of the district courts," Ahmed lamented. "Four or five judges sit in a single chamber - I never saw such a situation in the district courts in my time." He added that the matter of shifting Karachi Central Jail and the district courts outside the city was still unclear.
Ahmed claimed that although the city's district courts were facing major challenges, he had made note of them during his earlier visit on November 17 and understood them well. He provided further reassurances, saying that he would observe the problems faced by the country and try to solve them.
Mentioning that his father had been a member of the KBA too, Ahmed stated that the association would continue to play its role according to the Constitution and laws as it always had.
Ahmed added that he himself had begun his judicial career at the district courts in the city and learned a lot during that time. "I never compromised on my responsibilities as a lawyer or a judge," he stated.
Meanwhile, KBA President Naeem Qureshi expressed the hope that Justice Ahmed would resolve the issues faced by lawyers in the country.
"We will not compromise the rule of law, as it is our right," he said in his address, adding, "The chief justice provides justice to all; he should provide justice to our house too."
Referring to the Al-Jihad case, Qureshi said that high court judges should be promoted to the Supreme Court on the basis of seniority, claiming that appointing a junior judge instead of a senior judge was a violation of the verdict in this case.
He further said that judges should be transferred and promoted on the basis of merit. "The reappointments of retired justices are a violation of the law and the rights of serving judges," he added.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 9th, 2019.
Vowing not to neglect the challenges faced by the judiciary and lawyers of the country, Supreme Court judge and the next Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Gulzar Ahmed said he would begin addressing the issues faced by the bar after his tenure begins on December 21.
He was speaking at the annual dinner held by the Karachi Bar Association (KBA) at Karachi City Court on Saturday, where he was the chief guest.
The dinner was also attended by Sindh High Court Chief Justice Ahmed Ali Shaikh and Pakistan Attorney-General Anwar Mansoor Khan, as well as other judges and senior lawyers.
"I feel sorry and ashamed with the condition of the district courts," Ahmed lamented. "Four or five judges sit in a single chamber - I never saw such a situation in the district courts in my time." He added that the matter of shifting Karachi Central Jail and the district courts outside the city was still unclear.
Ahmed claimed that although the city's district courts were facing major challenges, he had made note of them during his earlier visit on November 17 and understood them well. He provided further reassurances, saying that he would observe the problems faced by the country and try to solve them.
Mentioning that his father had been a member of the KBA too, Ahmed stated that the association would continue to play its role according to the Constitution and laws as it always had.
Ahmed added that he himself had begun his judicial career at the district courts in the city and learned a lot during that time. "I never compromised on my responsibilities as a lawyer or a judge," he stated.
Meanwhile, KBA President Naeem Qureshi expressed the hope that Justice Ahmed would resolve the issues faced by lawyers in the country.
"We will not compromise the rule of law, as it is our right," he said in his address, adding, "The chief justice provides justice to all; he should provide justice to our house too."
Referring to the Al-Jihad case, Qureshi said that high court judges should be promoted to the Supreme Court on the basis of seniority, claiming that appointing a junior judge instead of a senior judge was a violation of the verdict in this case.
He further said that judges should be transferred and promoted on the basis of merit. "The reappointments of retired justices are a violation of the law and the rights of serving judges," he added.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 9th, 2019.