Addressing a function at the Punjab Judicial Academy, the chief justice said, “We have to perform our duties knowing that Allah is present and watching and we have to fear only Allah, we will not fear worldly gods.”

The Chief Justice said, “The judiciary does not want a fight with any bar, institution or government, but clapping is made with both hands. If the courts are not respected then the judiciary should not be expected to respect them.”

Referring to the number of cases in Punjab, the chief justice said that currently around 140,000 cases were pending in Punjab due to shortage of judges. He said that people lose their rights due to lawyers’ strikes. However, he said, 90 percent of lawyers were good people who cooperated with the judiciary.

CJ Malik Shahzad said, “Current Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa, is the son of Justice Qazi Isa Sahib, who was among the founders of Pakistan. He (Qazi Faez) has the feelings of national responsibility in his heart and he has said in one of his judgments that it is the duty of a lawyer to appear in courts and end the culture of strikes.”

The chief justice said, “Everyone has to work together to improve the system, for this the role of lawyers and related agencies is also important. When you perform your duties, perform them without any fear or greed.”

He maintained that the dream of independence of the judiciary was of the people of the country and the journey to realize this dream was going on.

He said that the judicial system was made for the weak, oppressed and helpless people as powerful mafias usurp their rights. Addressing the lawyers, he said, “You should start your judicial journey with the determination that you should fear Allah and not fear worldly gods.”

The chief justice requested the office-bearers of all the bar associations of Punjab that due to fight between the institutions, the institutions were weakened. He advised lawyers to be wary of those who try to pit them against each other.

He said that the judiciary did not want a fight with any bar, institution or government, but respect is there as long as the courts are respected. If there is no respect for the courts, then no one can expect the judiciary to respect them.

He noted, “Whatever happens will be according to the law, nothing will be done outside the law.” For the purpose, he said, “Everyone has to work together for the independence of the judiciary and delivery of justice.

The judiciary would not give in to any pressure and nor would fail in delivering justice, he said. He added that judges had to become answerable before Allah and perform duties out of fear of Him.

“Every judge has respect for lawyers in his heart and will work together with lawyers for the independence of the judiciary and delivery of justice. We have to work together to fulfill the dream of the people of this country,” he noted.