ISLAMABAD: Sup­re­­me Court judge Justice Nae­em Akhtar Afghan on Friday emphasised that the district judiciary acts as the backbone of the legal system and plays a pivotal role in the dispensation of justice.

Justice Afghan was sp­­eaking at a certificate-aw­arding ceremony for the Leadership and Mana­ge­ment Training Course (Batch-V) for District and Sessions Judges and Sen­ior Civil judges, held at the Federal Judicial Acad­emy (FJA), Islamabad. Jus­­tice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb also attended the ceremony.

In his concluding remarks, Justice Afghan said that a heavy responsibility rests on all district judges, adding that they should always strive to write professional judgements based on facts, law and principles.

Advising the district judiciary judges, Justice Afghan described continuous learning as the “key for judges” to ensure ef­­fective administration of justice. He urged them to never stop learning, avoid prejudice and personal biases, refraining from liking or disliking the parties involved and ensure merit-based recruitment.

Justice Afghan urges judges to write verdicts based on facts, law and principles

“Honesty is a norm, and impartiality is foundational to ensuring a fair trial and maintaining public confidence in the judicial system,” he said.

Speaking on the occasion, Justice Miangul Has­san Aurangzeb “termed the Federal Judicial Academy a “robust institution”, dedicated to the professional development of justice-sector stakeholders and the pursuit of judicial excellence.

He said the Academy welcomes suggestions, feedback and advice aimed at improving course content and structure, refining training, fostering a better learning environment, and ensuring strategic growth.

“As new statutes are being enacted and laws are being amended, it is the judges who have to interpret them,” Justice Aurangzeb remarked.

He further emphasised that the system requires immediate reform at all levels, calling for amendments to antiquated laws. He urged district judiciary judges to work with dedication and honesty, and strictly in accordance with facts and the law, to help create a balanced society.

In his remarks, Director General of the Academy Hayat Ali Shah said that the district judiciary is the central focus of the reform agenda of the Chief Justice of Pakistan, aimed at making the justice system more citizen-centric.

Published in Dawn, January 31st, 2026