In today's Pakistan, he said, an independent judiciary, duly supported by the media and the civil society, had rendered landmark judgements with one and only one baseline - 'all and sundry to follow rule of law and there was no immunity for anyone come what may'. "It is high time that this sea change in our constitutional and political history is accepted by all without any ifs and buts. This is a new Pakistan where old structures are crumbling and past demons of extra-constitutional deviations are being exterminated one by one. We have learned from history that no country can realise the dream of progress and prosperity for its people without following the route of rule of law and supremacy of Constitution.
The earlier we imbibe this message in the life blood of our existence, the sooner we will reach the Promised Land. What better time for all of you to join the league of those who, by virtue of their profession, are bound to follow the dictates of law and Constitution throughout their life, and help their countrymen in realising the dream of rule of law and supremacy of Constitution," he added.
Speaking at a ceremony in connection with the enrolment of lawyers, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court said: "For a better judiciary, it should be given its full authority." "Your enrolment as a lawyer of the Supreme Court of Pakistan is a significant acknowledgement of your life long commitment to the profession of law," he said.
"Being the lawyer of the apex court of the country, it is your added responsibility to fully make yourself well versed with the challenges being faced by both the Bench and the Bar in view of raised expectations of people. It is my firm belief that charity begins at home. Unless and until the lawyers are committed to their job, the output of the institution cannot sustain improvement over a period of time. You must exercise extreme care in picking up your briefs. Once committed to a case, you should focus on it in a most honest and diligent manner. Your assistance to the Bench, while exercising professional work ethics and avoiding frivolous adjournments, will increase the output of the Courts. This will be a win situation for everybody. Not only the litigants will get early and well deserved relief but the lawyers will also get more cases in view of increased respect and credibility of the institution as a whole," the Chief Justice said.
The Chief Justice reiterated that the lawyers' community in general and the institution of judiciary in particular had gained much respect from the people of Pakistan and "even beyond". "To keep this respect and honour intact, it is incumbent upon both the Bench and the Bar to leave no stone unturned to provide services to the citizens who knock at the door of judiciary at any level. To achieve this lofty objective, both the Bench and the Bar should consistently strive to work hard and leave the rest to Almighty Allah who has the power and the authority to bestow respect and glory or otherwise to any person or institution. May Almighty Allah be the guide for you in all your endeavours," Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry said.