During Tuesday’s groundbreaking ceremony of the Islamabad District Courts’ building, PM Khan stressed the importance of rule of law.
He highlighted that society’s progress when judiciaries are independent. As a result, Pakistan is in decline due to a lack of rule of law.
Addressing the occasion, honorable Chief Justice of Islamabad High Court (CJIHC) Athar Minallah praised the government’s comittment.
Read more: PM Khan claims to continue struggle for rule of law, purging country of corruption
To clarify, district courts have been functioning within a rented market at F-8 Markaz for the last 40 years. There are no reasonable facilities for judges, lawyers, and litigants.
Therefore, the judicial complex comprising 93 district courts would facilitate all the stakeholders, including the bench, bar, and litigants.
In this regard, Justice Minallah appreciated PM Khan’s government for taking care of its citizens.
IHC Chief Justice Minallah said access to inexpensive and speedy justice was the basic right of the people. It could be possible only “if all institutions continued to work within their ambits”.
“Supremacy of the law and the Constitution, and abiding by the oath of one’s office is a guarantee to justice and ensures the rights of the nation,” he said.
He said the goals of the 2007 movement had yet to be accomplished as its leaders had promised the masses a journey towards “a state like a mother — that protects and cares for its citizens”.
Read more: Strengthening rule of law through speedy convictions & election reforms
IHC demands the guarantee of Nawaz’s life
Upholding the rule of law ensures the protection of rights. Interestingly, back in October 2019, IHC demanded that the government give a guarantee on former PM Nawaz Sharif’s life.
A bench headed by Justice Athar Minallah and Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kiyani granted interim bail to Sharif in the Al-Azizia case. Prior to this, Nawaz Sharif faced a medical emergency.
Media reports, that during the proceedings, the federal government refused to take responsibility for Nawaz’s physical well-being. Also, bureaucratic procedures delayed the removal of Nawaz Sharif’s name from the no-fly list.
Read more: IHC dismisses petition challenging auction of Nawaz Sharif’s properties
In this regard, the IHC said that if something happens to Sharif during the bail, then the blame will be on NAB and the government.
Justice Athar Minallah also observed that if the provincial and federal governments had performed their duties, the matter would have not come before the court.
However, in response, PM Khan contended how the IHC can ask the government’s guarantee that nothing will happen to Nawaz Sharif. He himself cannot give a guarantee of his own life.
He further said that the government has provided the best medical treatment to Sharif and even called doctors from Karachi.
Currently, Nawaz Sharif is in London and seeking a visa extension.
Read more: Nawaz Sharif will not return to Pakistan: Sheikh Rashid