Justice can't be delivered unless judges are independent, sovereign: CJP

ISLAMABAD (92 News) - Announcing the new year's policy, Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Gulzar said that the justice cannot be delivered and fundamental rights of the people cannot be protected unless the judges are fully independent, sovereign and free from external pressure. He said while addressing the opening ceremony of the New Judicial Year 2020-21 of the Supreme Court (SC) in Islamabad on Monday. the chief justice said that the judiciary shall continue to strive to uphold the supremacy of the constitution to foster justice in all circumstances and to ensure rule of law in the country. "Under the constitution and the law, no one is allowed to suppress the independence of the judiciary," he added. CJP Gulzar said that the every judge of the superior judiciary is under solemn oath, inter alia, to discharge the duties honestly to the best of his ability and faithfully in accordance with the constitution and the law, and, in all circumstances, to do right to all manner of people, according to law, without fear or favour, affection or ill-will. He further said that it is not only a privilege to be a judge but a heavy duty is cast upon judges, even under the oath, to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution, and not allow their personal interest to influence the official conduct or official decisions.