ISLAMABAD, Feb 10: Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry on Saturday suggested an inbuilt accountability system for the judiciary to inspire quality and independent judgments without greed and lust.

While taking part in a discussion on the second day of the National Judicial Conference, the chief justice emphasised the need for incorporating a similar mechanism among the subordinate judiciary.

The participants deliberated on different issues including delay reduction, alternative dispute resolution, improvement in the quality of judgments, public interest litigation, legal education and judicial independence.

Recommendations forwarded by all the groups will be compiled into a consolidated and comprehensive report to be reviewed by the National Judicial Policy-making Committee.

Numerous suggestions were made on the occasion which included enhancement of the retirement age for the superior judiciary to 95 years, more perks and privileges for the judges, equating pension benefits with inflation, and financial autonomy.

However, Justice Saqib Nisar of the Lahore High Court opposed the idea of seeking more benefits and perks, saying it would infringe upon the dignity of the superior judiciary.

“We should refrain from demands that expose us to be a Bhookay (starved) community rather we should aspire to ensure complete independence of the judiciary,” Justice Nisar observed, adding that the judiciary’s endeavours should be centred on restoration of its credibility among public.

“No recommendation should come up at this forum to enhance the retirement age of judges for which constitutional amendments are required,” Justice Nisar emphasised, fearing the executive would then seek many amendments in their favour in the name of judiciary.

Justice Rana Bhagwandas, the senior most judge of the Supreme Court, also said the judges would be losing their stature by making such demands.

Former Supreme Court Bar Association president Tariq Mehmood called for a serious review of the code of conduct for the superior court judges to make them more accountable.

Some participants were of the view that the perception among people about the judiciary was so bad that it was adversely affecting the working of the judiciary.

The participants said the word subordinate judiciary for the lower judiciary was very derogatory and therefore should be replaced with district judiciary.

Earlier, Justice Rana Bhagwandas said both the president and the chief justice should have the same belief that political affiliation or religious affinity did not take precedence over ability while appointing a judge.

Appointment of judges should be on the basis of merit, while suitability of a person being considered for appointment or elevation as judge should be determined through consultation.