November 04, 2007	Sunday	Shawwal 22, 1428

ISLAMABAD, Nov 3: Supreme Court Judge Justice Mohammad Nawaz Abbasi on Saturday said the district judiciary was required to play an active role to safeguard the independence of judiciary, which was a basic structure of the constitution, and which was also ensured in recent judgments by the Supreme Court.

Mr Abbasi was addressing a certificate awarding ceremony of a two-day workshop on “Leadership role cum training the trainers” held here at the Federal Judicial Academy (FJA).

The workshop was jointly organised by the FJA and AJP (Access to Justice Programme) of the Ministry of Law, Justice and Human Rights, for district and sessions judges from the four provinces.

According to a statement issued here, the judge said the role of a court and of its presiding officer was of prime importance to strengthen the judicial independence and impartiality, hence the judicial leadership had to be very strong.

About leadership, he said the political leadership had to be selfless, patriotic and well-trained in running the affairs of the state, adding that likewise, the judicial leadership was also essential for smooth and effective functioning of the judicial system.

“The judicial officers always look towards the high courts and the apex court for guidance. This makes the job of the judges of the superior courts very important.

They are required to demonstrate their judicial as well as administrative skills,” he noted.

He urged the district and sessions judges to effectively control their subordinates and maintain balance between the district judiciary and other organs of the state so that the rules of fairness and justice are not violated.

Regarding good governance, he opined that good governance was vital to the success of judiciary and for good governance the judges were required to be equipped not only with legal acumen but also with sufficient knowledge to run the administration, to prepare budgetary proposals, to prepare and implement various schemes for the welfare and uplift of the judiciary and to utilise the resources to promote the cause of justice.