- CJP Afridi terms district courts backbone of justice system.
- Judicial officers performing duties despite difficulties: CJP.
- CJP Afridi calls for enhanced district, high courts coordination.
ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Yahya Afridi on Saturday assured that the entire judiciary was standing with judges to ensure they remained free from external pressure.
Addressing a conference in the federal capital, he said that changes had been introduced to the judicial code of conduct to protect judges from external pressure and strengthen public confidence.
CJP Afridi termed district courts the backbone of the justice system, saying empowering judges of the district judiciary to win public trust remained a key objective of the judiciary.
“I am proud of my district judiciary,” the chief justice said, adding that judicial officers were performing their responsibilities despite difficulties.
He urged all institutions to discharge their responsibilities effectively and called on young judges to ensure the best possible delivery of justice.
CJP Afridi said that coordination between district courts and high courts would have to be further strengthened.
Reflecting on measures taken for the development of the judiciary, he said that facilities including solar power, internet, clean water and e-libraries were being provided to the district judiciary, with provincial governments supporting these efforts.
He said that basic facilities, including solar power, were being worked on in all tehsils and districts of Balochistan.
According to CJP Afridi, solar power, water and internet facilities had already been provided in 18 districts of Balochistan, while the remaining districts would receive the facilities within a month.
He also said a decision had been taken to provide health insurance facilities to judicial officers.
The chief justice said that more than Rs3 billion in funds had been released this year for improvements in the judiciary, compared with Rs900 million released over 20 years under the Access to Justice Programme.
He paid tribute to judges who had sacrificed their lives while working to ensure the delivery of justice, saying the rule of law was the need of the hour.
