February 10, 2007	Saturday	Muharram 21, 1428

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ISLAMABAD, Feb 9: Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry said on Friday he feared that common man was losing confidence in the judicial system of the country due to massive backlog and long delays in the administration of justice.

"Expensive litigation and agonising slow pace of trial proceedings have completely demoralised the public, especially the poor," the chief justice observed, while speaking at a three-day National Judicial Conference which opened here at the Supreme Court Building.

The conference was attended also by Chief Justice of the Federal Shariat Court Justice Haziqul Khairi, Chief Justice of the Sindh High Court Justice Sabiuddin Ahmed, Chief Justice of the Peshawar High Court Justice Tariq Pervez, Chief Justice of the Balochistan High Court Justice Amanullah Yasinzai, judges of the Supreme Court as well as the high courts.

Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry regretted that huge delays in cases was undermining the public confidence in the judiciary, adding that only expeditious and delivery of top quality justice by clearing backlog would help restore the confidence of the people in the judiciary.

Maladministration by government officials was one of the reasons of public grievances, the chief justice said, adding: "Just as strong and independent judicial system is important for good governance, so is a well-informed citizenry, aware of their rights and how to enforce them."

He said institutional strengthening and capacity-building, including automation and delay-reduction should be the priority areas in reform efforts to strengthen and improve citizen’s access to quality justice.

Increasing population and litigation have also burdened our judges with a heavy case-load, the chief justice said, conceding that the problem of mounting backlog had not been seriously addressed.

However, he expressed the hope that with will, hard work and by employing appropriate techniques to enhance case disposals, pendency could be reduced.

Years of neglect have complicated the problems confronted by our judiciary and the state of our judicial system called for a comprehensive reform package.

He also emphasised to affirm constitutional provisions relating to the complete separation of the judiciary from the executive by placing all executive magistrates under the control and supervision of the judiciary.

The economic development of the country was also intrinsically linked with the quality and extent of the justice delivery situation in the country, he said. No foreign investment or local industry could make strides if citizens’access to justice was not entrusted in a genuinely professional manner, he said.

On Alternative Dispute Resolution, he said such initiatives could also reduce the number of cases going to courts and enhance access to justice with reduced cost to the citizens.

A vibrant, dynamic and independent judiciary will not only help reduce poverty but also establish our credentials in the comity of nations as a nation that values and respects the rule of law and human rights.