Judges can not answer criticism: Umar Ata Bandial

Lahore: Chief Justice of the Lahore High Court Mr. Justice Umar Ata Bandial has said that Returning Officers have worked tirelessly with commitment and zeal throughout the province.

Hon’ble Chief Justice was addressing the foundation laying ceremony of the Punjab Judicial Academy near Kala Shah Kaku interchange. Mr Justice Sh Najamul Hassan, Mr. Justice Manzoor Ahmad Malik and Mr. Justice Sardar Tariq Masood also graced the event. Hon’ble Chief Justice said that the criticism from some vested interests on the conduct of general elections is uncalled for .

The judges are secluded persons and cannot answer their criticism. Hon’ble Chief Justice advised the critics to move the proper forum in black and white for redressal of their grievances rather belittling the remarkable services rendered by the District Judiciary.. Being the head of the provincial judiciary, I have appointed the persons for holding of elections and I take the responsibility, his lordship observed.

Hon’ble Chief Justice said that institutions are not made of bricks and mud but the people of integrity strengthen the state institutions. Our job was to serve the people. Nation has reposed confidence in the institution of judiciary. About 20 lakh cases are being filed annually in the District Judiciary and the same number of cases are being disposed of .

We have also cleared the backlog of old cases filed before 2008. 31 districts have zero pendency of old cases, the HCJ maintained. The Hon’ble Chief Justice said that during his tenure as head of the Punjab Judiciary, he had hardly found any complaint of corruption against the judicial officers. The major cause of concern is delay in the dispensation of justice which can be overcome by proper case management and training of judicial officers.