Institutions are involved in interference in judicial matters: LHC CJ

Lahore High Court (LHC) Chief Justice Malik Shahzad Ahmad has declared that institutions are involved in interference in judiciary, saying he is convinced that this practice will come to an end soon, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

Addressing the e-court inaugural ceremony at Judicial Complex in Rawalpindi on Friday, Justice Shahzad Ahmad expressed the hope that the establishment’s interference in judiciary will end soon. “The courts are trying to get rid of the establishment,” he added.

He maintained that judicial movement had always resisted the martial law. “The interference in judiciary started from Maulvi Tameezuddin’s case, he said and added “They would not be blackmailed and they will not hesitate in making any sacrifice for the judiciary.”

The LHC CJ said he has received complaints and letters — many verbally — of interference in judicial matters by institutions. “We receive letters, complaints and verbal complaints that interference is being done in the judiciary in which a few institutions, naming them is not appropriate, are involved,” he added.

The LHC CJ further said many of the complaints are verbal. “I received a complaint from a judge two days ago. The judge narrated to me the whole incident,” he added.

The LHC CJ said the judge in his complaint had stated he was not afraid of any of the incidents he allegedly faced. “I am ready for any sacrifice that I might have to make but I would not do injustice to anyone,” Justice Ahmad quoted the judge as saying.

He highlighted that Pakistan was currently “going through one of the longest periods of a civil government”, adding that the 2007 lawyers’ movement “closed the doors for martial law forever”.

“To get rid of the establishment’s interference, we have to face it with bravery, courage and without any fear, and with the belief that this interference, God-willing, will end soon,” he said.

 Justice Shahzad Ahmad said during the 8 March 2024 full court meeting all the judges unanimously had decided not to tolerate the strike culture and all the judicial officers were informed about the full court’s decision. “There was a positive outcome of the full court’s move to end the strike culture in courts with the cooperation of the lawyers,” he added.

 He said it’s not lawyers’ job to lock the courts unnecessarily. “But if you want to lock the courts then quit your practice and do the job of judicial staff,” he maintained.

About complaints against judges who do not sit in courts, the LHC CJ said they have introduced biometric system in Punjab to ensure judges’ presence. “The judges who would not be punctual will face the music,” he added.

Justice Shahzad said some judges use their readers to do their jobs. “They just take tea and go home. Now they have installed CCTV cameras inside the courtroom to ensure judges’ presence,” he said.

The LHC CJ said action has been initiated against judges absent from the courtrooms.

He said the main reason behind delay in disposal of cases was the strike by the lawyers.

Reporter Irshad Qureshi