Supreme Court (SC) Senior Puisne Judge Justice Mansoor Ali Shah said on Saturday that there should also be an association of judges, saying there was nothing undemocratic in it, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.
Speaking at a seminar held in Islamabad on women’s role in the justice system, the SC judge said that by forming an association many issues confronting the judiciary could be resolved. “What we need is a Judicial Service Act,” he emphasized.
Justice Mansoor said he did not think it was appropriate to call district courts’ judges judicial officers.
He went on to say that Article 34 of the constitution allowed women to fully participate in all activities. “But at the same time, it is a fact that in a country where women make up 50 percent of the total population, only 16 percent of them are in the judiciary,” the judge lamented.
Justice Mansoor stressed the need for improving laws so that a maximum number of women could be appointed to judicial posts. “Encouraging the women who join the judiciary should also be our priority,” he asserted.
He was of the view that if compared with other countries, there were less number of judges in Pakistan. “The nation will have to follow merit if it wants to progress,” he said.
The judge also called for including female judges in the decision-making process, saying it would be an injustice if only male judges were allowed to formulate policies for the judiciary.
Reporter: Amanat Gishkori