May 28, 2008	Wednesday	Jamadi-ul-Awwal 22, 1429

ISLAMABAD, May 27: Speakers at a panel discussion here on Tuesday called for an independent judicial system in the country to ensure accountable exercise of authorities and check abuse of power by the powerful.

The discussion on “Socio-political movements in Pakistan” was part of a three-day symposium on “Strengthening democracy in South Asia” organised by Citizens Commission for Human Development.

Speaking on the occasion, Chairman Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf Imran Khan described independent judicial system as a prerequisite for rule of law. “When the leader of the country breaks the law with impunity, there can be no rule of law,” he said, alluding to sacking of superior court judges by President Pervez Musharraf.

He said the common people do not have access to justice and many times they have to pay for the crimes they never committed.

He proposed establishment of informal courts with limited jurisdiction to settle property disputes and minor cases in the rural areas. He said in civilised countries the state provided counsel to the people having no resources to engage lawyers.

He termed the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) a shameful document and said it provided immunity to looters and criminals.

He was of the view that it would lead to increase in crimes. He said under the prevailing circumstances reinstatement of the pre-November 3 judiciary had become all the more important.

Donya Aziz of PML-Q, however, opposed the idea of informal courts, saying there should be no room for a Panchayat system in the 21st century.

She said the land record should be computerised.

She indirectly conceded that the PML-Q government had failed to resolve the problems confronting people as she referred to the Lal Masjid episode and said when the state machinery does not respond to the grievances of the people it leads to creation of a parallel judicial system.

She said many people who were not getting justice had approached the Lal Masjid administration to help them out.

Justice (retired) Fakhrun Nisa called for strengthening the system, drastically reforming the police system and introducing amendments to the Police Act. She said corruption in police was so deeply embedded that a drastic reform was required. She said the police know who is the criminal and who is the victim but an entirely different story is written on the basis of a lop-sided investigation.

Farzana Bari said the military establishment had no legitimacy to be in the political arena.

She said there was a need to re- shape the state, striking a balance between all its pillars.