Justice Shah dismisses resignation rumours

ISLAMABAD:

Senior puisne judge of the Supreme Court, Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah, has categorically dismissed rumours about his resignation, terming them baseless speculations.

Speaking informally to journalists following an event on Saturday, Justice Shah asserted, "I don't know where this concern comes from. These are all speculations. I'm not running away."

"Whatever work I can do, I will continue. I just attended one conference and am heading to another."

He expressed his commitment to responsibilities, saying, "I will do whatever is within my authority to improve the system."

The informal interaction took place after Justice Shah addressed a conference.

During his speech, he called for the establishment of dedicated children's courts across the country to ensure swift and fair justice for minors. He stressed that the judiciary has a critical role in safeguarding children's rights, urging lower court judges to prioritise cases involving children.

"Children are not just our future; they are our present. They are Allah's gift, and their voices must be heard in judicial proceedings," Justice Shah said.

He lamented the delays in resolving cases involving minors, stating, "Children should not have to endure a 15 to 20-year wait for case resolution. When a child appears in court, they should not spend the entire day waiting. They deserve to be heard promptly."

Justice Shah also pointed out several systemic issues, including over 25 million children being out of school, inadequate facilities for children with special needs, and harmful practices like the age-old 'Wani' tradition and corporal punishment in schools. "Such practices should bring us shame."

He called attention to the need for clarity in interpreting constitutional provisions, particularly Article 11(3) on child labour, and expressed regret at not being able to address it personally. "I'm sorry to say this repeatedly, but I cannot provide this interpretation myself. That responsibility lies elsewhere," he said.