Rule of Law only way to end corruption, exploitation: CJ
By Saad Ahmad

RAWALPINDI—Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry has said the dispensation of justice and functioning of an effective judicial system in a society is an onerous responsibility.
The Bench alone cannot adequately and effectively shoulder this responsibility and assistance received from the bar ultimately determines the quality of the judgements, he said while addressing as Chief Guest in a ceremony held under the aegis of District Bar Association here in connection with 50th Anniversary of the Establishment of the Supreme Court of Pakistan. The CJP said a strong and a competent Bar is a sine qua non for the successful working of the system of administration of justice.
A strong and competent bar acts in aid of justice; it prevents the miscarriage of justice and advances the ends of justice. Most importantly it helps in quick disposal of cases, he said. He said the theme `Justice for All’ selected by Supreme Court of Pakistan on the occasion of its Golden Jubilee Celebrations has become a movement, which has given a new direction to the justice system, and it would gain momentum with every passing day.
Adherence to the rule of law is the only way to get rid of all the social evils, such as corruption, discrimination, victimization and exploitation. There is a need to strengthen the institutions. Strong institutions are pillars on which stands the edifice of a polity.
He said in Islam, great emphasis has been laid on the administration and dispensation of justice, adding that there is so much emphasis on justice in the Holy Quran and Sunnah that it can safely be concluded that the provision of Justice is a constant and perpetual responsibility from which no deviation and distraction is permissible. He said the Rawalpindi District Bar Association is a premier bar of the country, which has produced many great lawyers and jurists and it has a great potential of making contribution in the improvement in the system of administration of justice, to improve the lot of the litigant public and to assist the Courts in providing relief to the people in distress.
He said that this function is aimed at furthering the aims and objects of the 50th Anniversary of the establishment of the Supreme Court of Pakistan He advised the young lawyers not to be disheartened at the difficulties, which they must have been encountering as this was one of the peculiarities of the legal profession and every newcomer has to pass through this process.
He said there was always a waiting period for a young lawyer, which may be between 5 to 10 years. He stated that lawyers, indeed, play an extremely crucial role in the function of administration of justice. “The legal profession is a prerequisite for effective functioning of judiciary. The members of the bench and the bar are `like two peas in a pod’ as they profess and follow the common objective of the administration of justice”, he said.
The District Bar Association Rawalpindi presented a shield to the Chief Justice in connection with 50th Anniversary of the Supreme Court of Pakistan. Earlier Zulfiqar Abbas Naqvi, President District Bar Associatio Rawalpindi presented welcome address and threw light on the performance of the Association.