Judiciary not playing role of Administration or Parliament: CJ

Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry Saturday brushing aside the criticism on judiciary, saying the judiciary never tried to play the role of Administration or Parliament.
Addressing the 26th Roll Signing Ceremony on at Karachi, the chief justice clarifies that it is the statutory and constitutional responsibility of judiciary to safeguard democracy from being distorted and disrupted by state elements for their vested interests. Judiciary has a definite role to play for effective administration of justice for the establishment of a just society, based on respect for law. He added the Pakistani judicial system is the strongest backer of democracy which enjoys full confidence and faith of legal fraternity, other institutions, media as well as public at large.
The role of judiciary, he said is not that of an opposition to the Legislature or the Executive, however, in cases of unauthorized actions in utter violation of constitutional norms, the judiciary has to become responsive through exercise of judicial review.
The chief justice added the judiciary has the constitutional mandate to annul any act, whether it being an act of Parliament or action taken by a State functionary that transgresses the constitutional limits. “The role of judiciary in the democratic governance of Pakistan is more of a check against constitutional transgressions than just an adjudicator in settling bilateral quarrels and disputes”, he maintained.
The system of delivery of justice in Pakistan is faced with various challenges including complex legal procedures, out-dated laws, delays, unnecessary costs, high court fees and corruption.
Corruption being most significant of them is impinging upon the process of fair dispensation of justice No matter how much prudence is poured in analyzing the problems, complete and instant cure is very unlikely to be achieved. However, adherence to the high standards of impartiality, integrity and accountability can at least mitigate opportunities for corruption.
Paying tribute to Karachi lawyers, the chief justice said that the sacrifices they have rendered for the restoration of judiciary are memorable.