Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Justice Asif Saeed Khosa, on Sunday, made a veiled reference to the inclusion of two women judges in the Supreme Court in the future.
Addressing the last session of the Women Judges Conference, held in Lahore, the Chief Justice highlighted the praise-worthy performance of female judges deputed at district and high courts.
Female Judges Proving their Worth
Justice Asif Saeed Khosa said, “Our female judges have proven their capabilities through their verdicts and the manner in which they have handled complicated cases.” The CJP commended the growing number of female judges in district court and hinted at the possibility of adding one or two female judges to the Supreme Court.
He said, “We have around 300 women judges in our district courts, and we hope to have at least one or two women judges in the Supreme Court soon.”
The Chief Justice of Pakistan added, “I had the opportunity to propose two names for the positions, and they are being actively considered.”
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The CJP addressed the impact of the working environment on female judges in Pakistan and urged them to focus on being confident in their capabilities and preside over cases with a relaxed demeanor. He observed that in order to prove their competence to their male counterparts, female judges often pass harsher verdicts in their cases.
He said, “Female judges often have to undertake certain measures to ensure their survival in a male-dominated environment. However, all verdicts must be passed in accordance with the law.”
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Advising the women judges, the Chief Justice said, “Be firm, but also, be fair.” He spoke about the commitments and feats undertaken by the courts of Pakistan to ensure the protection of women’s rights for the last five decades. He stressed that in order to ensure the prosperity of Pakistan, it is important to ensure that women are empowered in all spheres of life.
The CJP stressed that the constitution of Pakistan ensures equal rights and treatment for all citizens, including women and minority communities. He said, “The Holy Quran, time and again, stress upon the need to ensure justice for everyone. Allah loves those who are just.”
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Justice Asif Saeed Khosa also addressed the need for enhancing coordination between the bench and the bar. He said, “These are the two wheels of the judiciary, and require effective coordination to ensure that justice is delivered to the masses.”
He stressed that the judiciary is responsible to provide justice to the people who place their faith in the courts. He said that in order to maintain order and ensure the development of the country, the law must be enforced with a robust mechanism.