‘Judiciary lacks moral authority’

Criticising the judiciary and military of the country, former president of the Supreme Court Bar Association Asma Jahangir on Friday said the judiciary was media-driven and lacked moral authority, while most of its decisions had been attracting the media. She said army chief General Ashfaq Kayani was at the helm of affairs of the country, not the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP).
Speaking at a reception given to her by the Islamabad High Court Bar Association (IHCBA) at IHC, she said the judiciary could only resolve civil cases, but had failed to ensure the implementation of its decisions against the government. “The judiciary will have to eliminate the sentiments of discrimination from all its decisions, as it is the only way to create moral authority,” she added. Asma was of the view that there were many flaws in judges’ appointments, saying the shortage of judges was a cause of concern for the top judiciary of the country. “Appointment of judges on the vacant posts is not the responsibility of the government but of honourable judges and such delay in judges’ appointment without any reason is beyond comprehension,” Asma said. “Is their not any competent lawyer in our community who can be appointed a judge,” she questioned, saying the feudal mindset should not be the criteria of the judiciary. Commenting on the status of the PPP-led government, Asma said, “A number of toothless lions are roaming around the country and the PPP is also one of them, but besides being toothless, this lion is caged as well.” Asma said vote was the only power of common masses and the army in-dignified the people of Pakistan several times by snatching their right to vote. We criticise the incumbent government and will continue criticism, but we are still in favour of democracy,” she said. Praising the protests of lawyers against NATO attacks, Asma said lawyers would must raise their voice against all forms of violence.