Fundamental rights of people to be protected, promises CJ

charsadda — Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar on Friday vowed to protect all fundamental and human rights of people and sought active support of the legal fraternity for providing speedy and inexpensive justice to litigants.

Addressing a function after inaugurating the newly-built judicial complex here, the CJ said no comprise would be made on the fundamental and human rights of citizens and reiterated that he was ready to take up all such issues anywhere in the country in the interest of public service.

“It is my passion to take up and address fundamental and human rights cases,” the CJ remarked.

He asked the audience to tell him if they had any pressing case related to fundamental rights so he could hear it there. “Any litigant is here who has any issue related to fundamental rights? I am here to listen and address it,” the CJ added. He said as per Article 25-A of the constitution “free and compulsory education” was a fundamental right of all children aged 5 to 16 and it was the responsibility of the state to provide free education to them.

While explaining the Supreme Court’s use of suo motu powers to enforce fundamental rights, the CJ said right to life was the most important right. He said no nation could make progress without quality education.

The CJ said institutions were not built with buildings but with people and personalities, who strictly adhere to the law and constitution.

He said nations of the world achieved development and progress due to strong institutions, independent judicial system, quality education including science & technology and statesmanship.

The CJ said unnecessary adjournments of cases caused delay in dispensation of justice and urged lawyers to cooperate for swift justice to litigants within the parameters of existing laws.

He said amendments to outdated and obsolete laws were necessary to give quick relief to litigants.

The chief justice questioned, “How would we explain to the litigants whose cases were pending for the last two decades.” He sought cooperation of judges and lawyers for swift clearance of backlog.

He said time had come for the judiciary to deliver and active role of judges and lawyers was equally important in his mission of swift justice to all. The CJ called for workshops and training seminars for judges to ensure trial courts dispense with cases swiftly. —