CHIEF Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa proudly declared on Monday that transparency in the apex court has improved significantly, stating that past practices of predicting case outcomes based on the “bench composition” no longer exist. Speaking at a full court reference marking the start of the new judicial year, he also outlined several reforms aimed at enhancing the judicial process, including the live broadcasting of hearings.
The incumbent CJP stands tall as far as transparency in the working of the top court and the widely acclaimed process of self-correction are concerned. As pointed out by him, there was legitimate criticism of the court because of manipulation of the bench-making process, casting doubts about the very neutrality of the judges hearing particular cases. Justice Faez Isa would always be remembered in annals of history as the Chief Justice who voluntarily abdicated his power for the sake of the institution he headed and to fulfill demands of justice. Besides devolution of his powers vis-à-vis bench formation, his decision to broadcast live hearing of important cases also proved his sincerity to the cause of justice and fairplay. Unlike the past, he is not interfering with the cause list and the responsibility of scheduling cases for hearing has been left to the Registrar of the court. The CJP took a number of other steps including symbolic revision of controversial verdicts, a process which has the potential to improve the image of the judiciary if pursued in right earnest by his successors.
