Lahore High Court (LHC) Chief Justice Malik Shahzad Ahmed addressed the Punjab Judicial Academy on Friday, emphasizing that the judiciary does not seek confrontation with the government but desires a level playing field.
In his remarks, Chief Justice Ahmed highlighted the unique nature of judicial service, stating that being a judge is not merely a job, and thus judges do not fear losing their positions.
He acknowledged the challenging phases judges face throughout their careers and commended the resilience of new judges who have endured similar hardships to join the judiciary.
Chief Justice Ahmed stressed the importance of mutual respect, declaring that if the judiciary is not respected, it cannot be expected to extend respect in return.
He affirmed that every Pakistani citizen has the right to legal protection, acknowledging the judiciary’s commitment to upholding justice. He also made it clear that the judiciary operates independently, answerable only to Allah Almighty, and not as a subordinate entity to any other institution.
Moreover, Chief Justice Ahmed noted the significant presence of women judges within the judiciary and reported that over 800,000 cases are currently registered in Punjab, reflecting the extensive workload and the critical role of the judicial system in addressing the legal needs of the population.
