ISLAMABAD, Sep 12 (Alliance News): Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Yahya Afridi on Saturday said the entire judiciary stood united with judges to ensure they remained free from external pressure.
Addressing a conference in Islamabad, the chief justice said changes had been introduced to the judicial code of conduct to protect judges from external influence and strengthen public confidence in the justice system.
CJP Afridi described district courts as the backbone of the country’s justice system, saying empowering district judiciary judges and winning public trust remained key priorities.
“I am proud of my district judiciary,” he said, adding that judicial officers continued to perform their duties despite facing various difficulties.
The chief justice urged all institutions to effectively discharge their responsibilities and called on young judges to ensure the best possible delivery of justice.
He also stressed the need to further strengthen coordination between district courts and high courts.
Highlighting steps taken to improve judicial facilities, CJP Afridi said solar power, internet, clean water and e-libraries were being provided to the district judiciary with support from provincial governments.
He said basic facilities, including solar power, were being developed across tehsils and districts of Balochistan.
According to the chief justice, solar power, water and internet facilities had already been provided in 18 districts of Balochistan, while the remaining districts were expected to receive these facilities within a month.
He further said a decision had been taken to provide health insurance facilities to judicial officers.
CJP Afridi said more than Rs3 billion had been released this year for improvements in the judiciary, compared with Rs900 million released over the previous 20 years under the Access to Justice Programme.
Paying tribute to judges who had lost their lives while serving the cause of justice, he said the rule of law was the need of the hour.
