ISLAMABAD – Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Justice Yahya Afridi has said the Code of Conduct for judges has been amended to protect them from external pressure and enable them to perform their duties independently.
Addressing a national conference on judicial reforms and the provision of speedy justice, the chief justice stressed that all state institutions must perform their responsibilities effectively and young judges must ensure the delivery of justice in the best possible manner.
Chief Justice Afridi described district courts as the backbone of the judicial system and emphasised the need for timely justice. He said coordination between district courts and high courts needed to be further strengthened to improve the overall justice system.
The CJP said the judiciary’s requirements would be addressed to establish a comprehensive justice system across the country. He directed all stakeholders to perform their duties honestly and responsibly.
CJP Afridi said the judiciary stood united in its efforts to ensure that judges remained free from external pressure. He said empowering judges of the subordinate judiciary was essential for restoring and strengthening public confidence in the justice system.
The chief justice said he was proud of judicial officers across the country, who continued to perform their duties despite facing various challenges. He also said a decision had been taken to provide health insurance facilities to judicial officers nationwide.
Highlighting ongoing efforts to improve judicial infrastructure, Justice Afridi said courts were being shifted to solar power systems and better internet facilities would be provided. Work was also under way to establish e-libraries in courts.
He said basic facilities, including solar power, clean water and internet services, were being provided in courts in Balochistan. Such facilities had already been extended to 18 districts, while the remaining districts would receive them within a month.
The CJP said facilitation centres for women and children were also being established to improve access to justice.
He noted that more than Rs3 billion had been released this year under the Access to Justice programme for judicial improvements. In contrast, only Rs900 million had been released under the programme over the previous 20 years.
CJP Afridi also paid tribute to judges who had sacrificed their lives in the pursuit of justice and said the rule of law was the need of the hour.
During his address, the CJP asked the audience not to applaud, saying that everyone under the roof was present as judges and should conduct themselves accordingly.
