Penultimate working day: Chief justice extolled for ‘unprecedented rulings’

Apex court’s performance praised under Jillani.

ISLAMABAD:

Forty-eight hours before Justice Tassaduq Hussain Jillani steps down as the country’s chief justice and apex court member, his fellow judges extolled his virtues and lauded his services to the justice system.

The tributes came during Thursday’s full court meeting in the Supreme Court which was held under the chairmanship of the outgoing chief justice.

The top court’s judges called Jillani’s tenure “a golden period for the superior judiciary” in the history of Pakistan, singling out his “unprecedented rulings” on human rights and environmental issues, and upholding the rights of minorities and women.

They also lauded the professional and legal acumen of the chief justice, praising his literary contribution for the judiciary.

During the meeting, Justice Asif Saeed Khan Khosa informed the full court that during the last six months, 2,000 out of 3,700 criminal cases have been disposed of, along with freshly instituted cases, leaving only 1,700 cases pending.

Moreover, between April 5 and June 30, the court decided 3,533 cases out of 3,862 cases, the full court meeting noted.

Outgoing CJP Jillani extended his gratitude to the judges and said that their cooperation and support made it possible for him to advance the cause of justice.

Full court reference

A full-court reference will be held today (Friday) to mark the retirement and last working day of CJP Jillani. Representatives of the superior bar, as well as CJP Jillani, and the incoming chief justice will address the gathering. Justice Nasirul Mulk is expected to outline his legal doctrine at the reference.

Later, addressing the dinner party held for him at the Supreme Court Bar Association Thursday night, the Chief Justice emphasised on the importance of strengthening educational institutes in the country. “Democracy cannot be established without a democratic culture.”

Published in The Express Tribune, July 4^th, 2014.