SARGODHA, Nov 2: Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry proposed bodies headed by district and sessions judges and bar presidents at district level to root out court officials’ corruption.

Urging the legal fraternity to come forward to curb the malpractices of courts staff, lawyers’ Munshis (clerks) and touts, he said a “committee” headed by the district and sessions judge and district bar association heads should be formed at district level to entertain complaints and taking action against the corrupt officials.

He was addressing a gathering of legal fraternity here on Friday on the invitation of the district bar association.

He said the ultimate objective of justice was to ensure equality, peace, tolerance and contributing to the welfare of human beings.

The CJP said the lawyers’ community, backed by other segments of society, was custodian of administration of justice. As a result of lawyers’ well-knitted and dedicated efforts the judiciary was restored and the judges, who were made dysfunctional, were allowed to continue to work, he added referring to the movement for restoration of the judiciary.

He emphasised that the administration of inexpensive, unbiased and fair justice could led society to adopting a civilised form of governance. Equality, impartiality and integrity in dispensation of justice were vital elements for the good governance of a state, he added.

The law had assigned a very important but delicate responsibility to the judiciary to maintain rule of law and constitutionalism, which was corner stone of good governance, the chief justice said.

He added that legal fraternity must focus on resolving the issues by discussion within the ambit of law and the Constitution. He said the judiciary was determined to administer justice to people and doing its utmost to provide relief by ensuring implementation of rule of law.

He paid rich tribute to the lawyers who lost their lives on 12 May in Karachi for upholding the supremacy of law and justice, saying those sacrifices should not be ignored.

The chief justice lamented that unfortunately the people of Pakistan had been victim of terrorism for the last many years. He said though all the institutions of the country had risen to this challenge but law and order situation was worsening day by day.

To the demand for establishment of a high court bench in Sargodha, made by a delegation comprising member of district bar associations of Mianwali, Khushab, Bhakkar and Sargodha, the CJP asked the lawyers to resolve the issue amicably by discussing it with Lahore High Court Chief Justice Umer Atta Bandial.

LHC CJ Umer Atta Bandial, who was also present, stressed the need for disposal of old cases with a special focus on those involving elderly people and children.

Earlier, the lawyers accorded a warm welcome to the CJP upon his arrival there by raising slogans lauding his courage and determination.

MPA: On the request of PML-N MPA Tayyaba Zamir, the chief justice ordered an inquiry into the death of her son due to doctors’ alleged negligence.

According to a TV channel, the MPA approached the chief justice after he addressed the bar.