Dawn : SC's judgement on Presidential issue likely by Thursday: Justice Javed Iqbal

SC's judgement on Presidential issue likely by Thursday: Justice Javed Iqbal

APP | October 26, 2007

ISLAMABAD, Oct 26 (APP): Justice Javed Iqbal, head of the 11-member bench of the Supreme Court hearing petitions against the eligibility/candidacy of President Pervez Musharraf for another term in office, Friday said that the decision in the case was likely to be announced by Thursday next.

He was responding to questions after addressing the inaugural session of the two-day workshop on “Delay Reduction Techniques cum Training the Trainers for District & Sessions Judges” organized by the Federal Judicial Academy and Access to Justice Programme.

About the independence of judiciary, he said: “The judiciary was independent, is independent and will remain independent; We as judges are only answerable to Allah Almighty and after that before their conscience, rather than before a particular group of people.”

He said “judiciary has to make decisions in accordance with the constitution and law”.

The judiciary should not be subservient to any specific group and decisions not to be made in according to the wishes of any particular group, he remarked.

Justice Javed Iqbal urged the participants of the workshop comprising District and Sessions Judges to suggest ways and means for the reduction of delay in dispensation of justice with especial reference to hardworking, honesty and management beside others.

He also asked them to take steps for the eradication of corruption in the subordinate judiciary which is being highlighted by almost all the segment of the society by introducing a system of checks and balances.