MUZAFFARABAD: Chief Justice of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Raja Saeed Akram said on Tuesday that the judiciary was supposed to make decisions on merit and justice without any fear or favour.

He was speaking as chief guest at the 10th judicial conference held here under the aegis of the AJK high court, with “causes of delay in dispensation of justice” its main theme.

AJK high court chief justice (CJ) Sadaqat Hussain Raja, judges of the superior and subordinate court, legal fraternity representatives, former AJK premier Raja Farooq Haider from PML-N, leader of the opposition Chaudhry Latif Akbar from PPP and senior minister Khawaja Farooq Ahmed from the ruling PTI were among the attendees.

“We have to ensure implementation of our judgments. There will be no compromise on the dignity and honour of the judiciary,” CJ Akram vowed.

Highlighting the role of lawyers in dispensation of justice, he maintained that the bench and bar went hand in hand in this regard.

“It’s our duty to extend respect to lawyers and in return they are obliged to appear before the courts with full preparation of the cases concerned,” he said.

The CJ stressed that only an independent, impartial and efficient judiciary could ensure true dispensation of justice and any obstruction in the execution of judicial affairs not only hindered the application of law but also the establishment of a peaceful and just society.

He said he felt pleased to share that except for a few cases instituted in 2020 and 2021 none of the old cases was pending in the AJK’s apex court.

Earlier, in his speech, the high court CJ maintained that since every institution had to perform its functions within its constitutional jurisdiction, the concept of separation of powers given by the constitution and law should never be taken as a conflict of power.

“Since the audience includes some prominent personalities who are holding or have held important official positions of power and authority, I seize the opportunity to draw their attention towards the fact that writ petitions are filed against almost all administrative orders...It’s our duty to protect the basic rights of citizens guaranteed to them under the constitution,” he said.

The high court CJ said that while delay in dispensing justice was harmful, haste in dispensing justice was equally damaging and therefore deciding matters with balance and moderation was exactly in accordance with the demands of justice.

Published in Dawn, January 11th, 2023