Do not doubt judiciary’s integrity, says Chief Justice of Pakistan

LAHORE: Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Mian Saqib Nisar urged the public to stop doubting the integrity of the judiciary.

Addressing a Pakistan Bar Council seminar on Saturday, he remarked that the judiciary is akin to an elder, wise person whose advice everyone seeks. “Judiciary is your baba [old, wise man].”

“We have made all decisions independently with our conscience,” he remarked, adding that people should stop criticising the judiciary for verdicts against them. 

Judges are not part of any plan or any conspiracy. The people who review or comment on decisions of the court should read the verdict first, he said.

"Experts speaking on television claim that Supreme Court has been split. I can assure you, there is no such thing."

He asserted that the judiciary is working independently without any pressure. “I don’t know where the claims of planned and pressurised judgments are stemming from," he added. 

“You should be proud of the judiciary. We have made the judiciary independent internally.”

‘Didn’t know Hudaibiya verdict will be announced on Friday’

CJP Saqib Nisar also shared that he didn’t know that the verdict of Hudaibiya Papers Mills case will be announced on Friday.

On Friday, a three-member Supreme Court bench had dismissed National Accountability Bureau (NAB)'s appeal to reopen the Hudaibiya Paper Mills case.

Supreme Court dismisses NAB's appeal to reopen Hudaibiya Paper Mills case

Three-member SC bench was hearing NAB's appeal against LHC decision to quash investigation of case

“We have decided to announce verdicts of all cases within a month,” he shared. 

CJP also remarked: "All organs of the state are integrated and linked with democracy. If there is no democracy then we will have no Constitution. We have taken an oath to protect the Constitution. It is our responsibility to protect the Constitution."

On the problems faced by the justice system, he said: “Delay is the biggest vice of our system.” He also claimed that some lawyers charge an exorbitant amount from the people. 

"Some lawyers charge as much as Rs15million," he pointed out, urging that justice should be dispensed at a lower amount. "Give a 50 percent discount to the people," he added. 

Judges appointment issue 

Speaking about the judges’ appointment issue, he said that it has been pointed out that some posts are filled by incompetent persons.

He reasoned that the process of making an appointment requires feedback from bar members, government, and then the judges. “We ask the bar first because we don’t want judges’ viewpoint to affect the bar.”

The CJP shared that judges are evaluated on three main qualities; integrity, knowledge of law and conduct. “Integrity is the most important thing for a judge.”

However, he clarified his stance that judges’ competency will be reviewed but he won’t allow appointments to increase membership of a certain party. “Most people want to bring their own person so they challenge the current appointments,” he said, sternly adding “I will not stand by such appointments.”

He accepted that it is possible some incompetent people were appointed. “But we must investigate how we let this happen.”

He remarked that the conditions are quite hard for judges these days, adding “it has become hard for a judge to survive.”

He added, “it is my responsibility to improve the institution. However, I want utmost honesty and honesty of purpose from both lawyers and judges.”

Speaking at at the Judicial Academy later in the day, the chief justice said the Law and Justice Commission should be made independent.

He also asked for support to take the nation out of injustice and regretted he has not been able to do much regarding judicial reforms.

The chief justice added that corruption is the society’s illness and its needs to be eradicated from society.

Justice Nisar further stated that justice needs to brought up to date with latest advancements.