ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJ) Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry has said no compromise will made on the independence of the judiciary, Express 24/7 reported on Saturday.
(Read: Govt, judiciary back away from confrontation)
The chief justice made the statement while chairing a meeting of the judicial policy making committee at the Supreme Court in Islamabad. The meeting was also attended by chief justices of the high courts and the chief justice of Federal Shariat Court.
The chief justice said courts should not be influenced by anyone and verdicts should be based on merit.
He said there were complaints regarding corruption in district courts and directed the chief justices to visit these court and sort out the complaints.
The chief justice also said that judicial policy has had a positive impact as cases were being dealt with on time.
PML-N supports judiciary
Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N) has announced its support for the judiciary during the ongoing row with the government.
(Read: PML-N vows to support judiciary, bureaucracy)
Party chief Nawaz Sharif made the announcement at a high-level meeting in Murree. The meeting was also attended by Pervaiz Rasheed and Raja Zafarul Haq.
Speaking to the media after the meeting, Sharif termed the judiciary’s move a “positive step” to protect the bureaucracy of the country.
He acknowledged parliament as the supreme institution of the country, but said that his party would not allow parliament to be used as a platform for corruption.
The PML-N chief also said that his party would struggle for the judiciary’s rights and would not allow anyone to hamper its functionality.
COMMENTS (14)
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@Gul: How about killings all over the country on December 27. About 150 murdered only in Karachi.
Who in the Govt. listens to SC or its judgements Your Honor?
*sorry tale of pakistan judiciary. a lawyer who practice law for 30 years become justice in supereme court one day. you know in past 30 years he developes a strong bond with criminals and general public and most of the tme belongs to a political party. now after becoming justice you want him to change judiciary and bring justice in society. are you fool .? can a person without having any experience of judiciary could deliver justice.? it is like a sepoy to become chief of the army staff. lawyers have the habit of arguments and a set frame of mind. they want to earn money and fame. thats all. bring reforms, train your district judiciary, dont make any one a judge in a day or night. otherwise instead of judges you will see lawyers in courts fovouring their bars and friend advocates.
@Tahir: "The people are behind the supreme court"
Please! SC is not a political party, and we are not talking about referendum here. It must not listen to the wishes of the people. In a hypothetical scenario, if there is a case even of one individual versus the rest of the Pakistanis, and if that single individual is correct, SC must award him the verdict in accordance with the law instead of siding with the majority.
The concept of totally independent judiciary is wrong. It must submit to the constitution, instead of molding it for its own good.
So our beloved CJ in all his wisdom rules against the chain of command. This will have tremendous repercussions. What if the next time a soldier refuses to obey the orders of his superior? In the nutshell this is a recipe for total anarchy, as it will invite and justify revolts, and coups within the army, bureaucracy, and police. This madness has to be stopped.
@Shahid Saeed: Alas Pervaiz Musharaff should have got rid of this biased CJ which is indeed became a source of various problems and giving democracy a headache. Last time also there was a deadlock but PM Gilani went to SJ and compromise himself without any ego problem. But again CJ is planning to clash with a democratic Government.
Judiciary has became highly politized and found interfering in Government affairs. All should remain within their boundries.
Nawaz Sharif in the enemity of PPP either support judiciary or Miliatry. But when his turns come for Government, if the same role is undertaken by others he makes lot of hue and cry. Seems he is still immature and will learn with his mistakes and blunders.
Regards
Dr. Saleem Siddiqi Johannesburg - South Africa
Corruption is not just looting money, but also abusing powers, as well as transgressing into someone else's domain. And if a judge is consumed by his political, ethnic, religious, or sectarian bias, and lets it overwhelm his judgement, which affects the lives of the people, and the nation, that's the highest level of corruption. We (PML-N too) should not forget that these judgments will set a dangerous precedence, as future decisions may use them as references. Please don't create, and then defend another Justice Munir, and decisions of his kind.
And no compromise on the Supremacy of Parliament: People of Pakistan
But is the government who have to execute court orders.If they obstruct justice by using delaying tactics in all bad intentions to transfer investigating officers again and again since top leadership cases are under trial;then how would judiciary punish those who obstruct justice for vested ends.
SCBA should come forward and play its role. SCBA is in a best position to define publicly judiciary's limits. SCBA must assert its role specially when the SC is crossing its limits and creating hurdles in day to day running of the country. The past of SC is full of antidemocratic acts. SC court should be brought back to its track where its responsibilities lay.
CJ and the Judicial policy making committee should also consider:
To take up the Air Marshal (Rtd.) Asghar Khan's petition pending for long. To take up the killings on 12 May, 9 April and 18 October killings in Karachi. To take up the case of Additional Registrar of SC Syed Hamid Reza. To take up the reference of ZA Bhutto judicial murder.
Sharif brothers and CJ supporting each other is too much exposed. Could you please in your own mutual interests try veil it a bit.
The people are behind the supreme court, the corrupt must be punished.
Present judiciary is undoubtedly independent but most biased and partial in history of Pakistan. Perhaps Movli Mushtaq was under pressure but not as much a party as present judiciary. Mr. Chuadhary has put institution of judiciary on stake for his political alliance with Sharif brothers. Let us pray for the better!