Daily Times

CHARSADDA: Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar Friday said time had come for judiciary to deliver and that active role of judges and lawyers was equally important in his mission of swift justice to all.

“What answers we will give to litigants whose cases are pending since last two decades,” the chief justice said in his address after inaugurating the Judicial Complex Charsadda. He said no comprise would be made on the fundamental and human rights of citizens and reiterated that he was ready to take up all such issues anywhere of the country in the interest of public service.”It is my passion to take up and address fundamental and human rights cases,” he remarked.

The chief justice asked the audience to reveal if they had any pressing case related to fundamental rights so that he could hear the case there. “Any litigant is here who has any issues related to fundamental rights? I am here to listen and address it,” he said.

While explaining the Supreme Court’s use of suo motu powers to enforce fundamental rights, the chief justice said right to life was the most important right. He said no nation could make progress without quality education. He said institutions are not built from buildings but of people and personalities.

The chief justice vowed to protect all fundamental and human rights of people and sought active support of the legal fraternity for providing speedy and inexpensive justice to litigants. He said unnecessary adjournments cause delay in dispensation of justice and urged lawyers to cooperate for swift justice to litigants within the parameters of existing laws. He said amendments to outdated and obsolete laws were necessary to give quick relief to litigants.

The CJP suggested lawyers to prepare such mechanism so that unnecessary adjournment of cases might be avoided. He said cooperation of legal fraternity and other relevant stakeholders was also imperative for reformation of judicial system.

The chief justice said as per Article 25-A of the constitution, free and compulsory education was a fundamental right for all children aged five to 16 and it was the responsibility of the state to provide free education to them. He said nations of the world achieved development and progress due to strong institutions, independent judicial system, quality education and statesmanship.

On his way back, the chief justice visited the District Headquarters Hospital. On his arrival, the chief justice was greeted by protesting teachers of the Workers Welfare Board. He assured them of getting their issues resolved.

Moreover, during the visit a woman approached the chief justice claiming that police is yet to take any action after the murder of her son 10 days ago. The chief justice assured the woman of getting justice.

At the hospital, patients complained to the country’s top judge of lack of basic medicines while the doctors admitted to the same. Hearing a case against quack doctors at the Supreme Court registry in Peshawar, the chief justice directed Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Health Commission Chairman Azar Sardar to shut down all quack doctors in the province within a week. He grilled the chairman for not doing enough against quack doctors, saying, “You draw a salary of Rs500,000 but your output is zero. It’s your duty to take action on the matter.”

Upon being told that there are as many as 15,000 quacks in KP, the chief justice asked for a comprehensive inquiry report on the issue. He set a one-week deadline for Sardar to take province-wide action against quacks, making it clear that ‘no stay orders will be issued in this case’.”If anyone wants a stay order then they should come to the Supreme Court,” he advised.

The chief justice was full of praise for IGP Salahuddin Mehsud for withdrawing personal security granted to unauthorised persons. The CJP had, a day earlier, ordered that all security protocol granted to unauthorised persons in all provinces be withdrawn. Mehsud submitted his report in court Friday, telling the CJP that security protocol of 1,769 unauthorised people has been withdrawn on court’s orders.

The chief justice said that he is content with Chief Secretary Azam Khan’s conduct. “Chief secretary, you have also done good work,” he added.

Published in Daily Times, April 21^st 2018.