New Judicial Year: CJP pledges to protect Constitution

ISLAMABAD –

The opening of New Judicial Year held here on Monday in Supreme Court with an aim to take stock of performance of the past year and to formulate future policies for justice and rights of people.
The opening ceremony was presided over by Chief Justice Nasir-ul-Mulk and was attended by all Judges, the Attorney General for Pakistan, the Vice Chairman, Pakistan Bar Council, the President, Supreme Court Bar Association and members of the Bar.

Addressing the full Court Reference on the eve of the start of a new judicial year Chief Justice Nasir-Ul-Mulk said that this is an event where “we renew our pledge and determination to uphold the constitution, the responsibilities of the judiciary under it and our unwavering resolve to protect, preserve and promote the fundamental rights of the people. Each year presents us with issues both old and new, which require collective efforts for their resolution”.

He said the year has been started with a carryover case balance of 19,932 cases, a total of 17, 491 new cases were instituted in the Supreme Court, out of which 13,872 have been disposed. However, due to the carry over backlog of cases from the previous years, the balance of pending cases before us is a colossal 22,089.

Justice Nasir-Ul-Mulk said that the court was planning to constitute benches in both Peshawar and Quetta registries shortly.

“The primary obligation of every judge is to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution which should be undertaken without fear or favour, affection or ill-will. No consideration or obligation can rise above the loyalty of the judges to both the text and spirit of the Constitution,” he added.

“Judges have the duty to preserve and protect it against any moves designed to defeat the scheme of the Constitution…No person or institution can elevate them above the Constitution. Let me reemphasize, that judiciary will not only retain its fidelity to the Constitution but will ensure that such fidelity is observed by all other functionaries of the state, the Chief Justice said.