ISLAMABAD – The targets set in the National Judicial Policy two years ago have largely been realised and actions have been taken against the corrupt judicial officers and staff members, Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry said on Saturday. “In line with the constitutional mandate and with a view to respond to the increasing public confidence in the judiciary, we launched the National Judicial Policy in June, 2009. The targets set by the policy have largely been realised. Actions were taken against corrupt judicial officers and staff,” the chief justice said while addressing participants of the National Judicial Policy Making Committee (NJPMC), a press release said.
He said inexpensive and expeditious justice was a dictate of the constitution and the NJPMC was established as a statutory body for the purpose. “In line with this objective, we embarked on the path of reforming the administration of justice in the country in a manner to realise the goal of ensuring access to justice for all and dispensing free, fair and expeditious justice to those who suffer any violation of their rights or any wrong or mischief or grievance,” the chief justice said.
He added that the judiciary, as a third pillar of the state, was required to perform this onerous responsibility and the constitution provided necessary safeguards for the independence and impartiality of the courts. “Independence and impartiality are minimum prerequisites for free, fair and impartial dispensation of justice. The judiciary has taken great strides to strengthen its independence and enable the courts to deliver,” the chief justice said. He added that in some regions, the National Judicial Policy had eliminated backlog altogether.
“The district judiciary of Balochistan in particular did very well as it was currently poised to decide any civil or criminal case within a period of six to nine months from the date of filing of a suit or complaint,” he said, adding that the district judiciary in other provinces was also catching up. He further said that that public confidence in courts had increased. “The success of the policy has led to enhanced confidence of the general public in the capacity and ability of the courts to decide disputes. This enhanced confidence has led to increase in the fresh filing of cases, which is a good omen for the nation,” the chief justice said.
