ISLAMABAD, Sep 12 (APP):Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Justice Yahya Afridi has paid glowing tribute to the role of district courts in ensuring the dispensation of justice under difficult circumstances, saying that district judiciary was performing its duties with courage and integrity despite shortages of basic facilities and various forms of pressure. Addressing the National Judicial Wellbeing Conference, titled “District Judiciary: From Reforms to Recognition,” held at the Supreme Court …
CJP pays tribute to district judiciary, says Supreme Court stands by judges in difficult times
ISLAMABAD, Sep 12 (APP):Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Justice Yahya Afridi has paid glowing tribute to the role of district courts in ensuring the dispensation of justice under difficult circumstances, saying that district judiciary was performing its duties with courage and integrity despite shortages of basic facilities and various forms of pressure.
Addressing the National Judicial Wellbeing Conference, titled “District Judiciary: From Reforms to Recognition,” held at the Supreme Court of Pakistan on Saturday, the Chief Justice said that providing maximum protection and facilities to judicial officers and staff in such circumstances was the need of the hour.
The conference, organized by the Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan (LJCP), aimed at marking the International Day of Judicial Wellbeing. The Chief Justices of the high courts of Lahore, Islamabad, Peshawar, Quetta, Sindh, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, judges of the Supreme Court, senior lawyers and selected district judges from across the country attended the Conference.
The Chief Justices of the high courts presented reports on the availability of facilities in district courts in their respective jurisdictions and gave detailed presentations on future requirements, planning and measures aimed at improving the working environment of the district judiciary.
On the occasion, Chief Justice Yahya Afridi, along with the Chief Justices of the high courts, presented shields and certificates to judges from selected districts of the four provinces in recognition of their outstanding performance.
Addressing the district judiciary officers, the Chief Justice said: “You are not alone. The Supreme Court stands with you.”
Justice Afridi said that soon after assuming charge as Chief Justice of Pakistan, he visited courts in remote areas including Upper Chitral, Tharparkar, Gwadar and Bahawalpur and was surprised to see that many district courts lacked basic facilities such as electricity, water and internet connectivity.
He said that since then, considerable progress had been made, with more than 200 courts provided with facilities including uninterrupted electricity through solar energy, internet connectivity, video-link hearings and basic amenity centres for women, among other facilities.
He said the implementation of reforms was now at the final stages.
At the outset of the conference, participants expressed grief over the martyrdom of District and Sessions Judge Abdul Hakeem Lashari and his security guard, who were killed in Mastung, Balochistan.
A Fateha was also offered for the departed souls, while prayers were made for the early recovery of Additional Sessions Judge Tariq Lashari and a Judicial Magistrate, who were injured in the incident.
