ISLAMABAD, Aug 11: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Friday said an independent judiciary was vital to “ensure accountability of public authorities and to interpret, enforce the rule of law and the Constitution”.
“While the legislature and the executive are accountable to the people, the judiciary is accountable to the higher values and standards of judicial rectitude-the values of propriety, impartiality, diligence and competence,” the prime minister observed at an opening session of a four-day International Judicial Conference (ICJ).
Organised by the Supreme Court of Pakistan, the conference is being held to mark its Golden Jubilee celebrations. It is aimed at reviewing the apex court’s performance over the past 50 years and to evolve a viable strategy for provision of speedy justice.
Prime Minister Aziz said that an institution’s integrity was the surest guarantee of its credibility and independence. “We should resolve to uphold these values and standards to make our judicial system modern, vibrant and accountable, thus providing easy access to justice for all, transforming Pakistan into a progressive and developed country.”
The government, he said, had always endeavoured to forge a harmonious relationship between the three organs of government, he said, adding that its foremost goal had been the judiciary’s independence.
Referring to terrorism, Shaukat Aziz highlighted Pakistan geo-strategic location and said: “The war against terrorism cannot be fought without the judiciary’s support and deterrent punishments to those found guilty and quick disposal of terrorism cases will definitely send a clear message not only to the perpetrators of this evil but also convey to the entire world our sincere resolve to root out this menace.”
Delay in the dispensation of justice and access to justice to all, he said, was one of the most important issue, but conceded that population growth, social tensions, adversarial litigations and increase in economic activity had overloaded the courts.
Prime Minister Aziz also urged upon all organs of the state — legislature, executive and judiciary — to play their due role in ensuring speedy and cheaper justice to all.
The prime minister also unveiled a monument especially erected for the occasion.
Earlier, Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry observed that laws were like cobwebs in which the weak were caught but the strong break through.
“We can only negate this adage by securing justice for all,” he said.
On terrorism, the CJ observed that its causes should be addressed at the grassroots level.
“History shall stand a witness to our role which we have played curbing terrorism as a global partner in the war against terrorism though we had to pay heavy dividends for our much desired role.
“What about the cause of this menace? Have we uprooted it en block, the answer is very skeptical! he questioned and warned; “Violence pitched against violence shall only ignite a volcano.”
“Our whims and ideas must be put aside and we must ponder over burning issues with a human and prudent mind and for that we have to have a heart, he suggested.
“Only democracy in its pure form can provide sound foundations of a good nationhood,” he suggested.
