LAHORE: Two senior judges — one from the Supreme Court of India and the other from Canada — arrived here on Thursday through the Wagah border crossing to attend the oath-taking ceremony of incoming Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Asif Saeed Khosa in Islamabad.
Justice Madan Bhimarao Lokur of the Supreme Court of India and Justice Sandra E. Oxner, the founding president of Commonwealth Judicial Education Institute, Canada, crossed the border at around 10am where senior officials of the Punjab government welcomed them. They are accompanied by their spouses.
An official told Dawn that law-enforcement agencies escorted them to Islamabad amid tight security. He said that as per schedule, Chief Justice of India Justice Ranjan Gogoi would reach Islamabad by air to attend the ceremony.
Besides, five senior judges of Turkey, South Africa and Nigeria would attend the oathtaking ceremony secluded to be held on Friday in Islamabad.
These foreign dignitaries will participate in the ceremony as “state guests”.
Published in Dawn, January 18th, 2019
Comments (40) Closed
Welcome gentlemen!
Congratulations to Chief Justice Khosa. Have a great party with the invited state guests from around the world and their spouses. But, with all do respect, let them pay their own expenses! They can afford it...
Gordon D. Walker Canada
Positive gesture at all ends. I think rather than directly going for secterial or pm level talks, Indo Pak can focus sincerely on such small steps.
@Khan, and ladies
Canada - welcome. Turkey - welcome. South Africa - welcome. Nigeria - welcome.
This is a tremendous move.We welcome these dignitaries and thank them for this good will gesture.
@HashBrown®, And India not welcome??
@HashBrown®, - Why not welcome Indian judges too?!
I do not know why CJI is attending oath ceremony?
Is pakistan changing its form of govt from a executive form to legislative form of government ?
Why did the Indian judge attend? Doesn’t he have more pressing issues to attend to?
What’s the big unexpected occasion, this happens every 3 years like clockwork.
@HashBrown®, India no welcome? but i am ok, as long as there is no talks all this is fine
wow.!!.never imagined.
This shows the value and and the integrity this institution has gain over a period due to their upright conduct. Politicians should learn from them.
wow that's a first. Welcome to Pakistan....
Why the state needs to spend money on such extravagant ceremonies involving foreign officials. Can these judges not take their oath in simple ceremony in front of local audience?
Such a pleasant news to read in the morning. I hope these influential will also play their role for harmony and peace.
Good, we need more of these types of interactions with India. Peace is only attained through dialogue.
Though as such there's no harm but what is the use of it too. Even at the oath taking of Imran there was not a big number of foreign guests. However, with this move,has it become possible to have foreign investors, players, tourists and students to come and stay feeling safety. Lastly, CJ s come and go, what is needed is some positive change in the attitude and working of judiaciary and particularly lawyers. The legal set up needs drastic changes which has/had been mentioned time and again.
@HashBrown®, Welcome Indian judges too, its is indeed a good gesture by Indian Supreme Court
@B.N.Gururaj, They are most welcome. And thank you Indian Government for letting them participate. Hope they will take good memories from Pakistan
@HashBrown®, being Pakistani I totally disagree.
All valuable guests are welcome including Indians
@B.N.Gururaj, They are also welcome, please don't get annoyed from one person comment. He might have missed writing India.
@indian, Indian Judges are also welcome. Please ignore this comment he might have missed writing Indian
@HashBrown®, India - Welcome , and we expect same humanity in return from our Brothers across the border
@indian, then why invitation also given.
This is good news . Appreciation
Invited these guests at tax payers money? You could give that money to build a basic health unit in a remote village of Pakistan. Priorities are not in conformity with our ground reality.
@indian, India did not welcome CJP Nissar, when India CJ took oath, as simple as that.
Great! All are welcome!
Great honor for Pak judiciary for having distinguished guests. It’s quite routine the verdicts of Commonwealth Nation’s are quoted in cases. Learning from each other is an infinite phenomenon and that must continue.
Most welcome to all distiguished guests also request judges of supreme courts of India Pakistan use their good offices resolve political differences for prosperity of their downtrodden people.
Good to know that Pakistan is regaining respect and trust because of our judiciary. Once corruption and dishonest politicians are eradicated then Pakistan will shine under our honorable elected public representatives.
Canada - welcome. Turkey - welcome. South Africa - welcome. Nigeria - welcome. Enjoy your visit gentlemen
Great gesture, chief Justice's of countries can meet more often and resolve the issues and bring nations together.
i am happy CJI of SC is attending the CJ of Pakistan supreme court as 26th Chief justice, indeed he is a great judge indeed.
@Hamza Rasheed, Ever read about IOK and their plight of 70 years.
@R, Hope the Indian judges can go back and push for implementation of UN Kashmir Plebiscite, otherwise their coming is useless and waste of taxpayers money.
@Gordon D. Walker, Next time ask Canadian State guest to pay for their expenses and Canadian PM and others to pay for their own expenses when they are visiting abroad as a state guest.