Judges should be aware of society’s new needs: CJP

Justice Bandial calls for simplicity, education to revive country’s prosperous era

ISLAMABAD:

Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial highlighted the importance of judges staying attuned to the evolving needs and ideas of society.

Speaking at a two-day conference organized by the Law and Justice Commission on population and resources, sponsored by the health ministry and UN Population Fund, the Chief Justice stated that the Supreme Court is responsible for safeguarding people's fundamental rights.

Justice Bandial noted that judges should not only identify what is wrong but also prioritize the protection of people's rights. He stressed the need to transform the population surge in the country into an advantage, emphasizing the importance of unity within society on this issue.

The Chief Justice cited examples of Muslim countries such as Iran and Bangladesh that have successfully achieved their population control goals.

Regarding education and population control, Justice Bandial remarked on the significance of a strong family system and its support for education and training. He stated that education is indispensable for population control and that vocational education plays a crucial role in societal improvement. The Chief Justice clarified that the Supreme Court's mandate is primarily focused on upholding fundamental rights.

Justice Bandial emphasized the responsibility of the people of Pakistan to present solutions to the government for addressing their problems. He underscored the importance of strong family ties and the State's obligation to support the well-being of mothers and children. The Chief Justice called for a comprehensive strategy to address the country's population surge.

Recalling Pakistan's history, Justice Bandial mentioned the collective responsibility and generosity of the people during the country's early days.

The CJP pointed out that when Pakistan was created in 1947, it did not have any wealth and the common people gave money to the country.

At that time, the people of Pakistan realised their responsibility. In fact, he noted that there was a time when Pakistan had given loans to Germany and China.

He stressed the need to embrace simplicity as a stepping stone towards prosperity, while also emphasizing the provision of education and vocational training.

The Chief Justice highlighted the conference as an opportunity to create avenues for dialogue and exploration of solutions. He acknowledged that litigation often reaches the apex court and emphasized the importance of generating opportunities through such conferences.

The CJP stressed the crucial role of judges in understanding and responding to the changing needs of society and expressed his commitment to contributing suggestions and recommendations during the two-day conference.