Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar on Saturday hit out at the people criticising the judiciary for issuing judgements that they deemed "unfavourable".

Addressing a seminar in Lahore, Justice Nisar said the perception that the judiciary has become a part of a bigger plan or design needs to end.

Referring to the judiciary using the analogy of a baba (village elder), he said: "The judiciary is your baba [...] do not doubt its integrity."

Without mentioning any names, he said, "If a decision is issued against you, don't abuse [the judiciary] by saying the baba has become a part of a design or a grand plan."

"The baba has not and will not become a part [of a plan]."

The chief justice said those against whom a judgement has been issued have the right to criticise the reason behind the verdict, but he questioned the insinuations of the "judiciary being part of a plan" or "being under pressure".

He said that no one dictated the court on what line to take in deciding a case.

Justice Nisar said he wasn't aware that the verdict in the Hudaibya Paper Mills reference appeal would also be announced on Friday — the same day that a SC bench, led by the chief justice, issued the judgement in the Imran Khan and Jahangir Tareen disqualification cases.

He said that the judgements on the petitions against Khan and Tareen were announced on Friday because he has a "passion" to issue verdicts within a month.

"If someone had been able to dictate [the judges], the Hudaibya judgement would not have turned out the way it did," he pointed out.

"All the judges are independent and can take their own decisions."

Referring to the "analysis on TV channels in the evenings", he said that the perception that there was some kind of division within the Supreme Court was false.

He acknowledged the delay in the judicial process, saying some "not very competent judges" are responsible for the delay, multiplication of litigation and expensive litigation in cases. An efficient training programme is necessary for judges, he concluded.

Stressing on the importance of democracy, Justice Nisar said that the judiciary has vowed to protect the Constitution and would continue to uphold democracy.

Justice Nisar said he will get a chance to listen to the underprivileged plaintiffs of the country once the "political dirt gets cleaned by laundry of the Supreme Court".

The judiciary and lawyers will have to make joint efforts to provide cheap justice to the common man, he added.