Speaking out: CJP says judiciary has gained popularity

Increasing number of litigants are approaching the courts: Justice Chaudhry.

KARACHI: Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry on Friday said that the judiciary has come in the limelight because of its hard work and impartial dispensation of justice.

Presiding over a meeting of the judicial office, the chief justice observed that an increasing number of litigants were approaching the courts to find a resolution for their disputes and redressal for their grievances.

The chief justice said that the judiciary must gear up to meet these challenges and rise to the people’s expectations.

The Sindh High Court (SHC) organised the meeting for district and sessions judges of Karachi and Malir regarding clearance of backlog and the disposal of pending cases.

The chief justice stated that the district judiciary mirrors the overall judicial system for the general public, since litigant parties initially come in contact with the judicial system at the district courts.

Also being the chairperson of the National Judicial Policy Making Committee, the chief justice observed that the committee was founded to eliminate backlog, reduce pendency and expedite trial proceedings and to institutionalise and enhance the independence of the judiciary by making it an impartial institution.

He noted that although backlog of cases existed in Sindh, pendency in the districts of Karachi was not a problem when compared to the strength of judges.  The chief justice pointed out that the average pendency before each judge is around 493 cases, hence reducing pendency is achievable.

He added that under the guidance of SHC’s chief justice and inspection judges of district judiciary had made the policy targets achievable.

In the meeting the judicial officers gave presentations regarding disposal of old cases in their respective districts.

SHC’s chief justice Mushir Alam and judges attended the meeting.