Establishment's interference in judiciary to end soon: LHC CJ
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Chief Justice Malik Shehzad Ahmed Khan of the Lahore High Court (LHC) expressed optimism that the interference of the establishment in the judiciary would soon come to an end. Speaking at the opening ceremony of judicial complex e-courts in Rawalpindi, CJ Shehzad emphasized the need to combat this interference with steadfast belief and faith.
Addressing the issue directly, Chief Justice Shehzad acknowledged that there have been allegations and instances of establishment meddling in judicial affairs, often documented through various letters. He assured that such interference would cease, sharing his confidence that these challenges would be overcome through a commitment to justice and a fear of God.
CJ Shehzad's comments follow a significant development wherein six judges from the Islamabad High Court (IHC) wrote a letter to the Supreme Court on March 25. They accused intelligence agencies of interfering in judicial matters and intimidating judges, which they argued compromised the independence of the judiciary. The judges, including Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani, Justice Babar Sattar, Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir, Justice Tariq Mahmood Jehangiri, Justice Sardar Ejaz Ishaq Khan, and Justice Saman Rifat Imtiaz, urged Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa to convene a judicial convention to address these concerns.
In his address, Chief Justice Shehzad also highlighted the pervasive issue of delayed verdicts within the judiciary, noting that some cases can drag on for as long as 30 years, affecting multiple generations of families. He attributed these delays to the unavailability of witnesses and mentioned ongoing consultations with high court judges to find solutions.
Additionally, CJ Shehzad recognized the difficulties faced by overseas Pakistanis in appearing before courts and implied that measures are being considered to address these challenges, likely facilitated by advancements like the judicial complex e-courts aimed at streamlining judicial processes.
