MUZAFFARABAD:Chief Justice of Azad Jammu and Kashmir Justice Raja Saeed Akram Khan has emphasized that mutual respect, trust and cooperation between the judiciary and the legal fraternity were essential for upholding the rule of law, maintaining the dignity of the courts and ensuring the timely delivery of justice to the public.
Addressing a ceremony organized by the Central Bar Association here Thursday, the chief justice urged the lawyers to present their clients’ cases with thorough preparation, sound legal arguments, and strict adherence to legal requirements.
The ceremony was attended by Senior Judge of the Supreme Court Justice Raza Ali Khan, Supreme Court Judge Justice Khalid Yousaf Chaudhry, Central Bar Association President Raja Zigham Iftikhar, the president of the High Court Bar Association, the general secretary of the Supreme Court Bar Association and a large number of senior lawyers.
Justice Raja Saeed Akram Khan said that since assuming the office of chief justice, he had focused on improving the judicial system and introducing institutional reforms.
He expressed his confidence in the capabilities and professional competence of his fellow judges, particularly Justice Raza Ali Khan, who has previously served as advocate general, president of the Supreme Court Bar Association and the High Court Bar Association, and held responsibilities in the Bar Council.
The chief justice expressed the hope that Justice Raza Ali Khan would, in the future, serve the state as an outstanding chief justice.
Referring to the teachings of the Holy Quran, Justice Raja Saeed Akram Khan said that some decisions might appear difficult for people to accept, yet divine wisdom could be concealed in them He urged people to maintain their faith and trust in the decisions of Almighty Allah. The chief justice thanked Central Bar Association President Raja Zigham Iftikhar and other office-bearers for their hospitality, respect and cooperation.
He said that lawyers played a significant role in assisting judges by providing guidance on legal questions and helping courts examine cases in accordance with the law.
Highlighting his longstanding association with the legal fraternity, Justice Raja Saeed Akram Khan said that he had always valued his relationship with lawyers and considered it an honour. He added that throughout his professional career, he had given due attention to the positions and arguments presented by lawyers and consistently sought to promote mutual respect and cooperation between the bench and the bar.
He stressed that lawyers should present clear, concise, and relevant legal arguments in court, ensuring that their submissions were grounded in applicable laws and the facts of each case.
According to the chief justice, every stakeholder in the judicial system has distinct responsibilities. Lawyers must ensure effective representation of their clients, while courts are responsible for delivering decisions based on the law and available evidence. He observed that the quality of legal representation and the relevance of arguments presented before the courts were important elements of professional responsibility and contributed to the effective administration of justice.
The chief justice also addressed the professional responsibilities of young lawyers receiving their licences, expressing the hope that they would discharge their duties with dedication, integrity, hard work, ng and a strong sense of professional ethics.
He encouraged young members of the legal fraternity to contribute positively to strengthening the justice system and improving the delivery of justice to the public.
Justice Raja Saeed Akram Khan reiterated his commitment to fostering stronger institutional relations between the judiciary and the legal community, saying that effective cooperation and mutual respect would help make the judicial process more accessible and efficient.
He thanked the Central Bar Association and the wider legal fraternity for the warmth, affect, on and support extended to him.
Speaking on the occasion, Central Bar Association President Raja Zigham Iftikhar warmly welcomed Chief Justice Justice Raja Saeed Akram Khan to the Central Bar and congratulated him on his position.
He said that the visit of the chief justice and other honourable judges to the Central Bar was a matter of great pleasure and honour for the legal community.
Raja Zigham Iftikhar paid tribute to the chief justice’s judicial services and his longstanding association with the bar, describing mutual respect and cooperation between judges and lawyers as the foundation of effective justice delivery.
He expressed the bar’s commitment to maintaining constructive relations with the judiciary and working together to strengthen the rule of law and improve the administration of justice in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
The ceremony highlighted the importance of a strong and cooperative relationship between the bench and the bar in promoting judicial effectiveness, professional integrity and timely justice for the people of the state.