PESHAWAR: Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry said on Saturday that no one would be allowed to rise above the law and defile the rule of law.
He was addressing Peshawar High Court Bar Association here at PHC building. Judges of Supreme Court Jusrtice Mian Shakirullah Jan, acting Chief Election Commissioner, and Justice Nasirul Mulk, Chief Justice PHC Dost Muhammad Khan, Chief Justice Baluchistan High Court Justice Qazi Faez Essa, Chief Justice Lahore Court, Chief Justice Federal Shariat Court, CJ Gilgit Baltistan, former judges, prominent lawyers and legal fraternity attended the function.
The Chief Justice told the lawyers that their efforts for upholding the rule of law would not go waste.
He said the judiciary could not administer justice without cooperation of the bar. Being the wheels of the same chariot of justice, they endeavour individually and collectively to achieve the common objective of administration of justice, he added.
He said since the implementation of national judicial policy, the achievements for early dispensation of justice could not be met without cooperation of the legal fraternity.
The courts worked hard to achieve the objectives and targets set by the national judicial policy and their achievement were the results of whole hearted support and cooperation offered by the bar members.
The Chief Justice said lawyers not only have to play a professional role but they have also the duty towards society so as to craft a culture of rule of law which is a basis for democracy.
The support of the legal fraternity is vital not only for expeditious disposal of cases but also eradicating evils from the judicial system including the evils of corruption, he said and added that the cooperation of lawyer community has made it possible for the courts to grant quick relief aggrieved persons and expeditions resolutions of their disputes.
He said in the adversarial system of administration of justice the litigants parties have to prove their case therefore, responsibilities lied on the shoulders of the lawyers especially in our society where there is lack of education, awareness and financial constraints to hire a counsel in order to protect their legal rights.
Legal profession is not an easy job as it is full of responsibilities requiring untiring efforts of learning, devotion and hard work, he said adding, the lawyers should assist the court in reaching the truth while imparting justice, he added.
He said the struggle of lawyers has kept alive the traditional values but has always strengthened the judicial institutions. The historic lawyers' movement has now imposed on all greater responsibilities to respond to the aspirations of the public in the dispensation of justice.
The legal history of the country bears testimony to the fact that the rule of law and independence of judiciary was although started by the lawyers, but the bar associations never lagged behind in supporting these efforts, he added.
The Chief Justice said that equality before law is an essential prerequisite for imparting justice and legal community have to play a significant role in the system of administration of justice.
He said that imparting justice is a divine job and without cooperation and assistance of the lawyers this sacred obligation cannot see the light of the day.
He said that in the country the reins of rule of law and administration of justice are controlled by the divine Islamic principles.
Islam has emphasized on building a society where there is no one above the law. Social or economic status has never been of any consideration in administration of justice.
The exchange of thoughts and experiences blended with wisdom can open new horizons for meeting the emerging challenges. We have always honoured and welcome the sagacious thoughts of our learned friends regularly on improving the sacred duty of administration of justice which is to be performed religiously, he added.
Lauding the role of district courts in KP for provision of quick and inexpensive justice to the people, the Chief Justice said that the district courts were making every endeavour to provide quick relief to the litigants and it is the main reason behind rise in number of cases in the courts.
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