Govt depts interfere in judicial matters: PHC CJ

Justice Waqar Ahmed Seth urges judiciary not to be influenced by anyone especially the government departments

ISLAMABAD: Peshawar High Court (PHC) Chief Justice (CJ) Waqar Ahmad Seth has observed that the government departments “interfere in the judicial affairs” to a great extent.

“These days in the changed circumstances, we need the district judiciary to have confidence to decide cases without being influenced or pressurized by any government department, which I feel, is too much,” CJ Seth said while addressing a conference of registrars on Saturday.

The PHC CJ stressed that justice should not only be done but it should appear to be done.

He noted that the power vested in the judiciary was a trust and the judges were responsible for its exercise.

"Judiciary must function openly and efficiently. Unfortunately, we see the administration of justice facing unprecedented circumstances as it undergoes reforms," he said.

"Registrars of all high courts are a bridge between higher judiciary and district judiciary. These registers are supposed to create a confidence among district judiciary,” he added.

He also cited the example of judicial secretariat which is catered by district judiciary itself for the transfer and postings of judges in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

“When they are independent in their decisions from high courts then they are independent in all respects,” he said.

The CJ urged the judiciary not to be influenced by anyone especially the government departments.