BAHAWALPUR, Dec 9: Fifteen papers were read on the second day on Saturday of the National Jurists’ Conference being hosted by the High Court Bar Association here.

Those, who read papers and presided over sessions included Justice Ijaz Yousaf (retired) of Federal Shariat Court, Chief Justice Mian Allah Nawaz Khan (retired), former Punjab minister Mian Afzal Wattoo, MNA Mian Riaz Husain Pirzada, Justice Mushtaq Ahmad (retired), Punjab AG Aftab Iqbal Chaudhry, Bahawalpur Range DIG Ghulam Haider Marth, Prof Sajjad Piracha of Mass Communication Department of Islamia University, Majeed Gill, Khurram Farrukh and Mumtaz Husain Bazmi, member of High Court Bar executive committee.

Justice Allah Nawaz, who was the keynote speaker, dwelt at length on the concept of independent judiciary and the judicial system prevailing in the country.

He said at presently our concern was why our judicial system has failed. He said we should find out the mistakes in judicial system and analyse the reasons of the failure. He suggested devising a mechanism for an independent judiciary in the country.

Others in their papers stressed the need of amendments to the anti-terrorism act. They said the government interference in the appointments of judges should be reduced and those who were selected on merit should not be ignored.

About the independence of judiciary, the speakers impressed upon the government that politicians should be refrained from pressurising the judiciary.

About the police investigations, the speakers underlined the need to modernise the police rules and investigation methods.

The speakers also demanded that new laws should be enacted keeping in view the present system and in accordance with the capabilities of the members of society.

Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry will preside over the last session on Sunday.