Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Yahya Afridi on Saturday called for strengthening the district judiciary, describing it as the “backbone” of the country’s justice system.
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Afridi → call → system
“The district judiciary is the backbone of our justice system and for most citizens, this is the first contact they have with any state institution,” he said while addressing a conference in Islamabad.
“If we aspire to strengthen public confidence in the judiciary, we must continue to strengthen the institutions within which our district judiciary serves,” he said.
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he → have → which
He said public confidence in the judiciary was “neither inherited nor proclaimed”, but was earned through integrity, competence, fairness, compassion, and institutions that empowered judges to perform their duties with excellence.
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that → say → excellence
Recalling his visits to judicial posts in remote parts of the country after assuming office, CJP Afridi said he visited Chitral, Gwadar, Sadiqabad, Bahawalnagar and Nagarparkar.
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he → recall → Chitral
He said that during his visits, he realised there was a disconnect between the district judiciary and the National Judicial Policy Making Committee (NJPMC).
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he → say → judiciary
The NJPMC was set up under an ordinance in 2002 to coordinate and harmonise judicial policy within the court system and in coordination with the Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan.
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NJPMC → set → Pakistan
In his remarks, CJP Afridi said the body had the authority to formulate policies, and sanction projects originating from the district judiciary and financed by the Access to Justice Fund.
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body → say → Fund
He said that projects sent by district courts previously took three to four months to secure approval, while some were never completed due to ballooning costs.
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some → say → costs
The CJP said the NJPMC subsequently decided to appoint additional secretaries for each province to serve as a “link” between the committee, high courts and the district judiciary.
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NJPMC → say → committee
He said a 21-day timeline had also been set for approval of projects and disbursement of finances under the Access to Justice Fund.
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timeline → say → Fund
In his remarks, CJP Afridi said the district judiciary was asked to submit a “wishlist” of its most pressing needs, which identified four priorities: uninterrupted electricity, internet connectivity, essential facilities for women and clean water.
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which → say → women
He said the NJPMC decided to allocate funds for the four projects.
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NJPMC → say → projects
He said that Rs900 million had been disbursed from the Access to Justice Fund over the previous 20 years, but Rs3.4 billion was released in one year for the aforementioned four projects.
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billion → say → projects
The CJP said the NJPMC had also taken several steps to improve the working conditions and facilities available to judicial officers across the country.
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NJPMC → say → country
Justice Afridi said the NJPMC had also introduced changes in the code of conduct for judicial officers and established a set procedure to deal with any “extraneous influence”.
“As far as you are concerned, be assured that you are not alone.
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you → say → influence
if we find out that you are making those approaches, this assurance of the CJP will not be extended to you …
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assurance → find → you
I expect that a judicial officer will be independent and not approachable by any extraneous influence,” he said.
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he → expect → influence
The CJP said all tehsil courts in Punjab, Sindh, KP and Islamabad had been solarised.
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courts → say → Punjab
He said Balochistan faced difficulties in transporting solar equipment to remote areas, but the chief justice of the province had assured him that the work would be completed within 30 days.
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work → say → days
CJP Afridi said the same facilities should also be available to bar associations, adding that where electricity was available in courts, it should not be restricted to the courtrooms but should also serve the bars.
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it → say → bars
In his remarks, CJP Afridi also questioned the country’s poor ranking in the Rule of Law Index, which had given Pakistan a “dismal” ranking.
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which → question → ranking
I went to these remote areas.
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I → go → areas
There is one court in Nagarparkar which has solar power, internet connectivity … a women facilitation centre and there is clear water.
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which → be → power
If these facilities are provided in the remotest area in Pakistan, what do they talk about in the index?” he asked.
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he → provide → index
He said five of the eight pillars assessed by the Rule of Law Index related to the judiciary.
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five → say → judiciary
He said that the NJPMC had decided to provide empirical data on the performance and facilities of the district judiciary.
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NJPMC → say → judiciary
He said the NJPMC would provide data to the relevant commission before future rankings were compiled so that the situation on the ground could be properly assessed.
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situation → say → ground
The CJP also announced commendations for judicial officers who had demonstrated excellence, with recipients nominated by the high courts.
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recipients → announce → courts
“I congratulate all the recipients for their continued leadership as we speak of well-being and excellence,” he said.
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he → congratulate → being
Justice Afridi also paid tribute to Judge Hakeem Kakar, who was martyred in July en route to Mastung, saying the most meaningful tribute to him and others like him was to “remain steadfast in upholding the rule of law and serving the people of Pakistan”.
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tribute → pay → Pakistan
He urged Rule of Law Index assessors to consider the sacrifices of judicial officers serving in the country’s remotest areas and offered assistance in facilitating visits to such locations.
“I am proud of you, district judiciary,” he said in conclusion.
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he → urge → conclusion
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