District Judiciary gives farewell to Omar Ata Bandial

Lahore: Chief Justice of Lahore High Court,  Justice Umar Ata Bandial has said that performance of District Judiciary of the Province of Punjab is source of pride and enviable for rest of the Judiciary of Pakistan. This fact was acknowledged by the former Chief Justice of Pakistan, Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhary and the present incumbent Mr. Justice Tassaduq Hussain Jillani.

Hon’ble Chief Justice advised the Judges to respect Bar which is necessary for proper and meaningful assistance for dispensation of justice. Only due respect and honour extended advocates can lead to quality arguments which are useful for delivering better and unreviewable judgments.

Hon’ble Chief Justice was addressing at a farewell dinner hosted by the District Judiciary. Senior Puisne Judge Mr. Justice Khawaja Imtiaz Ahmad and other Hon’ble Judges as well as District & Sessions Judges were present on the occasion.

Hon’ble Chief Justice said that he is thankful to the Almighty Allah for augmenting the judiciary with the assistance of brother Judges of Lahore High Court. The idea behind reformation of District Judiciary dates back to 2009 lawyers’ movement for free judiciary.

Hon’ble Chief Justice said that Sessions Courts are the back bone of judicial hierarchy and can bring stability and harmony in society by their just and impartial judgments. “A few people knock the doors of LHC for justice as you people decide two million cases annually which shows the enormous confidence reposed in the litigant public”, Hon’ble CJ added.

He further said that today’s judiciary is more confident as compared to the past and there is always room for refinement and further efforts are needed to improve the system of justice. Judges are not ordinary public servants but entrusted to sift truth from the falsehood and deliver justice the attribute of Almighty Allah bestowed on the judges, CJ further said.

Hon’ble Chief Justice also lamented on the low rate of conviction in the Country. He said that only 10% convicts are punished while 90% murderers go scot free and sometimes innocent people are sentenced due to improper investigation and other bottlenecks.

The designate Chief Justice of LHC, Justice Khawaja Imtiaz Ahmad said that it was very difficult to say goodbye and bid farewell to anyone as we have to analyze his performance before uttering any remarks about him. He said, when we talk about the period of Justice Umar Ata Bandial, we find cluster clear achievements on his part and perhaps anybody else can perform like this.

Hon’ble Justice Bandial has introduced the sense of confidence and affection in the District Judiciary without compromising on the performance. Justice Khawaja Imtiaz asked the judges that people have pined high hopes with the judiciary and judges have to perform more vigorously. Register Maboob Qadir Shah and number of other Sessions Judge spoke high for the Chief Justice for patronizing and encouraging the District Judiciary.

Later, a painting and shield was presented to Hon’ble Chief Justice and souvenir to Justice Imtiaz Ahmad by the Sessions Judges.