- Stresses we’ve to face it with courage, without any fear, and with belief that this interference will end
- Affirms currently judiciary operates independently without external pressures
RAWALPINDI: Chief Justice of Lahore High Court (LHC), Justice Malik Shahzad Ahmed Khan, on Friday declared that undue influence from external forces on judicial affairs would be curtailed shortly.
“I have received complaints and letters, including verbally regarding interference in judicial matters by “institutions,” but I have full faith that this interference of the establishment in the judiciary will come to its end very soon,” the LHC CJ declared while addressing an event in Rawalpindi here on Friday.
He explained he was saying so not just because it was “part of my faith but also includes my experience”.
“To get rid of the establishment’s interference, we have to face it with bravery, courage and without any fear, and with the belief that this interference, God-willing, will end soon,” the chief justice said.
“We receive letters, complaints and oral complaints that interference is being done in the judiciary in which a few institutions — naming them is not appropriate — are involved,” Justice Ahmad said.
Citing historical precedents starting with Maulvi Tamizuddin case, the LHC CJ emphasized that It’s prudent to leave the names of these institutions unmentioned. “Currently, the judiciary operates independently without external pressures,” he affirmed.
He recounted an uplifting anecdote about a district judge who resisted such influences, proclaiming, “I am fearless; I will administer justice impartially.”
The resilience of this judge, according to Justice Ahmed, filled him with immense pride.
He also spoke about reports from district judges facing coercion and attempts to influence their decisions.
He urged them to resist such pressures, assured that they would be guided by higher principles. “My conviction that the interference from the establishment in judicial matters will cease is unwavering,” he stated.
The Chief Justice shared the initiatives he had implemented after assuming his office. “Immediately after taking office, I organized a full court session, where we resolved that strike actions would not be entertained. On May 13, a directive was issued across Punjab’s courts to disregard any strike calls and to proceed strictly by legal norms,” he explained.
On April 24, judges at the Islamabad High Court (IHC) unanimously reported undue meddling by intelligence agencies in their judicial responsibilities.
Justice Ahmed commended the integrity of the majority within the legal fraternity, observing that “90% of attorneys are commendable.”
He noted that in Punjab alone, over 200,000 new cases were registered while more than 300,000 were concluded, effectively decreasing the backlog of unresolved cases.
