MUZAFFARABAD, Sept 7: AJK Prime Minister Sardar Sikandar Hayat has said that his government believed in the freedom of judiciary and will extend all out support to strengthen the institution.

He said this at a meeting with AJK High Court Chief Justice Reaz Akhtar Chaudhry, who called on him at his office here on Tuesday. The premier congratulated Justice Chaudhry on his elevation as the chief justice of the AJK High Court and Shariat Court and hoped that he would carry forward the traditions set by his predecessors to ensure the superiority of the Constitution and law and dispensation of cheap, transparent and timely justice.

The prime minister said that it was a matter of pride that democracy was strong in the AJK and institutions were functioning in accordance with the Constitution. Mr Hayat pointed out that dispensation of justice was not the responsibility of the courts alone but it could be ensured by following merit in every field of life.

Speaking on the occasion, the chief justice said that the responsibilities of his office were very sensitive and he would try his best to ensure the provision of transparent and speedy justice to the people of the state. "We will deliver our decisions in accordance with the merit and settle our problems with mutual understanding within the resources of our state," he said.