Rule of law necessary for democracy: CJP

Chief Justice of Pakistan, Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry has said that the rule of law was `sine qua non" for democracy and overall development in the country. Chief Justice expressed these views at the certificates - awarding ceremony on the conclusion of a one-week training course titled, "Orientation of New Laws" for Additional District and Sessions Judges and Senior Civil Judges here at the Federal Judicial Academy on Saturday.
He said that it was the prime duty of the judges to ensure enforcement of the Constitution and the rule of law in the country so as to take the country to new horizons of socio-economic development. "We have to ensure the rule of law at any cost because it is the rule of law, which promotes democratic dispensation and accountability" he maintained.
Quoting an example of the neighbouring country, India, he said that there was no such problem as there has been no deviation from the constitution in the country. Both, individuals and institutions strictly follow the rule of law and constitutionalism; as a result democracy has flourished there."
Referring to momentous struggle waged by the lawyers' community, civil society, media, among others, for the restoration of judiciary, Chief Justice of Pakistan said, "In the wake of historic struggle for restoration of independent judiciary in the country, no adventurer would dare to abrogate the constitution or deviate from the constitution in the future. If anyone dared then he would have face unparalleled resentment from the legal-judicial fraternity and civil society and media. The Chief Justice of Pakistan categorically said, "Deviation from the constitution in any manner will not be tolerated, it would be resented by all stakeholders. If a judge sides with the adventurer or violator, he will be liable for misconduct as decided in the historic judgement of the Supreme Court of Pakistan on July 31, 2009 as the same has been incorporated in the Code of Conduct for the Judges of Supreme Court.
The Chief Justice of Pakistan said that administration of justice was the most difficult task but lucky were those who have become Judges, saying, "Deliver and administer justice in accordance with the constitution and conscience and leave it to Allah because, it is only Allah who has to reward you as justice is one attribute of Allah Almighty.".
He urged the district judges to decide the cases expeditiously and on merit in accordance with law. "Delivering decisions on technical ground was not justice. Your decisions may convey the sense and there may be few chances for the superior courts to interfere" he pointed out.
Highlighting the role of district judiciary in the administration of justice, he said that the district judiciary played pivotal role because a major portion of the litigation came to these courts. "District Judiciary deserves appreciation for administering expeditious justice to the litigant public in the wake of announcement of National Judicial Policy (NJP). Still much is desired to achieve the goal of "Justice for all." Lamenting the state of pervasive corruption and non-disposal of cases in the district Courts, he said that there were frequent complaints, both, about the involvement of the paralegal staff and in some cases about the Judicial Officers and also about non-disposal of cases.
"We all have to make genuine efforts to combat corruption from the court and young Judicial Officers can play significant role in this battle against this menace." "The people of Pakistan have reposed trust in the judiciary. We have to administer justice to them. We have to hear them properly. We have to ameliorate the miseries of the poor litigants. We have to respect, both, the litigant and advocates. We must have to respect all those who come to the court in search of justice and decide the cases on merit" he advised the Judicial Officers.