Judiciary struggling to get rid of establishment’s interference: LHC chief justice

RAWALPINDI: Lahore High Court Chief Justice Malik Shahzad Ahmed has stated that the judiciary is struggling to get rid of interference from the establishment and is confident that this interference will end soon.

Speaking at a ceremony in Rawalpindi, Chief Justice Malik Shahzad Ahmed said that litigants look at the judiciary, which is intended for the weaker members of society. He noted that delays in case decisions are a major problem, with some cases taking up to 30 years to resolve.

“These delays often occur because witnesses are unable to appear in court, including those living abroad who face difficulties in attending court hearings,” he said.

The chief justice highlighted that complaints of institutional interference in the judiciary frequently arise.

Recently, he said, a judge filed a complaint detailing incidents of interference. “The judge emphasised that he is not afraid but wants to bring these issues to the chief justice’s attention. The judiciary confronts such interference directly but it must not hesitate to make any necessary sacrifices,” he said.

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He asserted that the judiciary was performing its duty without fear or greed. He expressed satisfaction that the district judiciary was also working without fear or greed and he was proud of the subordinate judiciary. He encouraged judges to deliver justice without fear, believing that divine assistance will follow.

Justice Malik Shahzad recounted that prior to the movement for the restoration of judiciary, it was said that once a judge was dismissed, he never returned. However, the movement restored ex-chief justice Iftikhar Chaudhry, demonstrating that the impossible could be achieved through determined struggle.

He noted that the current problem facing the judiciary was establishment interference, which began with the Maulvi Tamizuddin case.

“The judiciary is actively struggling to eliminate this interference, with the faith and absolute belief that it will soon come to an end.”