AJK president urges lawyers to play role for merit, rule of law

Islamabad:  (Parliament Times) AJK President Sardar Muhammad Masood Khan has urged the lawyer’s community to play role for good governance, rule of law and upholding of the merit in Azad Kashmir.  He was talking to a delegation of Supreme Court Bar Association headed by its president Syed Nishat Kazmi that called on him at Kashmir House Islamabad on Sunday. The president said it is moral and professional responsibility of lawyer community to help the downtrodden and oppressed people access to justice, protect the public rights and resources and stand against the corruption, nepotism and irregularities.

He asked the Supreme Court Bar Association to give concrete suggestions for bringing improvements in judicial system and assured that Shariat Court will not be abolished.

About the constitutional reforms, President Masood said AJK government is negotiating with federal government for bringing amendments in AJK Constitution, Act 1974. federal government, he said already had agreed with our demands regarding constitutional reforms and increased share of AJK in federal divisible pool. Prime Minister of Pakistan Muhammad Nawaz Sharif has already constituted a committee of constitutional experts from Pakistan and AJK, he added.

Expressing his consternation over prevailing tendency of double standard in our society, the President said it is ironical that people in our society demand merit for others but consider themselves above any rule or merit. He added that one should treat others as one would like others to treat oneself.

He called for massive campaign to create awareness about the benefits of rule of law, merit and good governance asked the lawyers to lead the campaign. He assured the lawyers delegation that appointment judges in higher judiciary will be made on merit. Commenting on the current financial crisis in AJK, president said AJK government is in constant contact with the federal government and expressed his hope issue will be sorted out soon. Speaking on the occasion, president Supreme Court Bar Association Syed Nishat Kazmi pointed out the shortage of judges in judiciary and said cases kept delay because of this problem. He demanded appointment judges in High and Shariat courts purely on merit and appointment of Chief Justice in Supreme Court by following the laid down procedure.