Judges made decisions according to the law, but interpretation of law sometimes resulted in disputes: CJP Umar Ata Bandial
Says regulatory bodies should form their own tribunals as not doing so places an extra burden on the judiciary
Says we, while sitting in the Supreme Court, treat law according to the constitution
Says country needed improved regulatory system and making the regulations easier for the people
Says Election Commission of Pakistan is a constitutional body, we have to as courts of law support the ECP
ISLAMABAD ( Web News )
Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Justice Umar Ata Bandial said on Saturday the judges made decisions according to the law, but interpretation of law sometimes resulted in disputes.
“We use our powers with utmost care. We look into matters which are of legal and public importance. We, while sitting in the Supreme Court, treat law according to the constitution,” he said.
While addressing as the Chief Guest at the Symposium on Corporate Supervision and Regulatory Actions: Challenges and Reforms organized by SECP at a local hotel in Islamabad, CJP Umar Ata Bandial said services of legal experts in the Supreme Court should be acquired to tackle disagreements and added that the judiciary must decide about legal aspects.
The chief justice said the judges were matured with the passage of time. At the high court level, there were capacity issues, he noted and added that absence of tribunals overburdened the courts.
“Is our law helpful in providing the business opportunities,” CJP Bandial questioned and noted that increase in business opportunities and industrial development could make national uplift possible.
He stressed the need for taking business-friendly initiatives. The government gave subsidy, the court could only ascertain whether it was judicious or not, the chief justice said.
The chief justice called for promoting private businesses as their growth, he said, translated into economic development.
Chief Justice Bandial said the country needed improved regulatory system and making the regulations easier for the people.
Multiple interpretations of one law give rise to problems or conflicts and regulatory institutions should be strengthened, said CJP Umar Ata Bandial.
Article 25 of the Constitution of Pakistan is about the equitable distribution of resources and the apex court can only determine whether a subsidy granted by the government is non-discriminatory or not, he said.
The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) needs to take action against housing schemes, which do not possess the land, said CJP Bandial. He was of the view that regulations should be made easier for the public while the efficiency of high courts should be improved by reducing the burden on them.
He said that business integrity should be upheld and the correct regulatory measures should be in place. The government imposes taxes and custom duties but the public is not aware, said the CJP, adding that the government should conduct affairs in consultation with the business community.
Citing an example, he said that IPPs were assured of long-term investment of 30 years and it is necessary to facilitate investors.
“I am not an expert in the field of artificial intelligence. This ceremony is being held for business development in Pakistan. The Supreme Court is only concerned with the enforcement of law. Repeatedly interpreting the law gives rise to conflict and differences in interpretations must be reconciled by experts. Two interpretations of one law causes problems,” said the CJP.
Regarding service tribunals, CJP Bandial said that regulatory bodies should form their own tribunals as not doing so places an extra burden on the judiciary. Judges are not as readily available as one has to sit through several examinations to qualify as one, he added.
Chief justice said that Election Commission of Pakistan is a constitutional body, we have to as courts of law support the Election Commission of Pakistan. Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial said that there is another constitutional body Auditor General of Pakistan, whose serves are under used and he has jurisdiction all over the country, he can go to the provinces and he can go into the accounts of the federation, we have to make him strong so he can go and check the accounts own his own because you have an issue about accountability it goes into the account to find out three years later so much money was taken away.