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CJ lays down 12-point agenda to cleanse corruption from judiciary

LAHORE: The Chief Justice of Pakistan Mr Justice Irshad Hassan Khan, on Sunday laid down a 12-point agenda to cleanse corruption from judiciary, clear the backlog of cases and dispense speedy and un-influenced justice.

Addressing District and Session Judges from Punjab at LHC library, the Chief Justice spelt out in unequivocal words that judiciary is in the spot and expectations from it are great.

Reminding the subordinate courts of the decisions recently taken by Chief Justices' Committee at Islamabad, he directed that cases of widows, orphans, suits for administration of estate of the deceased persons and other small disputes shall be disposed of within one month, after serving notices to the concerned parties. About the family disputes including cases of custody of minor, maintenance, dower, etcetra, he directed that they be disposed of by may 31st next.

For all such cases, the Chief Justice said, notices be issued to the parties and their advocates within three days from the receipt of the instructions for accelerating the dates of hearing, if already fixed.

As regards the criminal cases, he said that all such offences charged with punishment not more than two years, be taken up and disposed of within two months.

Justice Irshad Hassan Khan urged special care while granting or refusing bail. He said the subordinate courts shall keep in mind the relevant provisions fo law as well as the established principles laid down by the superior courts in granting or refusing bail in non-bailable offences, which inter alia, contemplate refusal of bail to the accused, who is either a previous convict for an offence which is punishable with death or imprisonment for life or he is found by the court to be a person who is hardened, desperate or dangerous criminal or he is involved in any act of terrorism.

The Chief Justice said that District and Sessions Judges of all the four provinces should be responsible both for the integrity and expeditious disposal of the work of subordinate court within their jurisdiction. He ordered that the courts shall submit monthly reports to their respective Chief Justices who would keep posted the Hon'ble Chief Justice of Pakistan about the progress and for consideration of the said reports in the Chief Justices Committee Meeting.

He announced that Chief Justices of High Courts would identify judges in subordinate judiciary those who are alleged to be corrupt and thereafter initiate prescribed disciplinary proceedings against them in a fair and impartial manner as per laws and rules and in consonance with the principles of natural justice.

The Chief Justice also announced incentives in the form of Appreciation Certificates for the subordinate judges with excellent performance to clear the backog of cases.

he realised that salaries of not only judges of the subordinate courts and their staff but even those of secretarial and personal staff attacked with the judges of the superior courts, are extremely low. He said this seriously impairs administration of justice at all levels and needs to be remedied at the earliest by the government.

He said the process for filling up existing vacancies in the prescribed manner be initiated immediately so that the strength of judges in the subordinate judiciary is increased in a phased manner after making adequate arrangements in regard to infrastructure facilities.

He directed that the Chief Justice of High Courts nominate one or more judges, for a period of one month at a time, in rotation, to exclusively monitor the working and functioning of the subordinate courts as well as the courts established under the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997.

He said the Chief Justices should issue instructions to judges of the subordinate courts to be vigilant and effective by ensuring that investigations are quickly completed by the police and challans are timely submitted.

To improve efficiency of courts, he said judges of the subordinate judiciary, who are alleged to be inefficient or are not punctual shall be provided an opportunity to improve their performance within three months, failing which, he said, the prescribed disciplinary proceedings shall also be taken against them.

Speaking about problems faced by subordinate judiciary, the Chief Justice said that he was fully conscious of the conditions in which they work and the circumstances in which they operate.

He said he was aware of the hardships and financial constraints faced by them and their supporting staff.

He assured that he would put in every effort so as to improve their working environment and alleviate their financial hardships.

"But a great deal would depend on your efficient performance and efforts to reduce and ultimately eliminate, the backlog and implementation of decisions of the Chief Justices Committee in letter and spirit."

Speaking on behalf of the judges, Muhammad Akram Baito, President, Punjab Judicial Officers Association, said that judges of the subordinate courts would work day and night for the full implementation of the decisions of the Chief Justices Committee in letter and spirit.

He said the targets spelled out by the Chief Justice of Pakistan would be achieved.

ROLE MODEL

The Chief Justice of Pakistan said that District and Sessions Courts, Lahore would have to act as a role model for all other subordinate courts in the country.

Reciprocating to the sentiments conveyed on behalf of subordinate courts by Muhammad Akram Baito, President of Punjab Judicial Officers Association, who responded to the address of the Chief Justice at Lahore High Court Library by saying that its decisions would be implemented in letter and spirit.

On his speech, the Chief Justice of Pakistan went to the rostrum and said, "I am really moved by your reciprocity and this is what I expected of you while speaking on behalf of judicial officers."

The Chief Justice of Lahore High Court also presented annual report of the Lahore High Court to Chief Justice of Pakistan. APP