Peshawar (April 19, 2018): Chief Justice of Pakistan, Mian Saqib Nisar apologised to his legal fraternity over the denial of full court reference to recently retired apex court judge, Justice Dost Muhammad Khosa.
He made the remarks while addressing an event at the bar association after conducting a hearing of several public interest issues at the Supreme Court Peshawar registry.
The top judge expressed that he was there to apologize to the Bar Council of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa if he had committed a mistake.
Click Play Button To Watch Complete Video
“Those who seek forgiveness with sincerity should be forgiven,” said the chief justice.
The chief justice continued that he was ready to compensate for the mistake, adding that he was still ready to hold a full court reference for the apex court judge.
Mian Saqib Nisar asserted that he was still unsure about the reasons behind the denial of his former fellow judge regarding the full court reference.
‘All the judges of the apex court had finalised preparations for extending a full court reference to the judge, but Dost Muhammad refused to attend the gathering’ declared the Chief Justice.
He acknowledged the gigantic task of reforming the judiciary and said, “I cannot fix the system alone”.
He said that dispensation of justice should be measured, adding that those who submit a genuine apology should be forgiven.
“It is the duty of judges to dispense justice,” he said, adding that,the judiciary must react to complaints that justice is being delayed across the country.
He appealed for equal contribution from bar members towards his struggle to reform the judiciary and dispense swift justice.
Chief Justice Nisar stated that fundamental changes are needed to fix the system, explaining that, “I cannot make a law, I can only implement it.”
Moreover, he said that if judicial reforms are not on the state’s agenda then he is not responsible for it, asserting that the apex court is not responsible for amending laws of 1861 and 1872.
Earlier, the chief justice praised former Supreme Court Justice Dost Mohammad Khan, who retired on March 19 and commands respect in the province having remained the Peshawar High Court chief justice.
Chief Justice expressed displeasure at the bar members’ claims that Justice Dost was not given a full court reference, as is custom, on his retirement due to a ‘conspiracy’.
He then explained the various instances when the senior judges attempted to give him a proper farewell but Justice Dost refused continuously for personal reasons.
Chief Justice Nisar then stated that the Pashtun are very close to his heart and he could never carry any hidden agenda against them.
Later in the day, the chief justice also visited the judicial academy and addressed under-training civil judges there.
Chief Justice Nisar counselled that judges should give decisions based on legal interpretation, work hard and peruse the law.
“The Supreme Court’s decisions have to be followed by the executive and all other branches of the state,” the chief justice said in his speech.
Related News:
