ISLAMABAD: Senior Supreme Court Judge Justice Mansoor Ali Shah has issued a powerful call to Judicial officers of Pakistan, urging judges to uphold judicial independence by identifying and resisting those within the institution who surrender to political or external influence.
In a landmark judgment in a service-related case, Justice Shah emphasised the importance of moral clarity, institutional courage, and constitutional responsibility to preserve the credibility of the judiciary. He stated that the true service to the judicial institution lies in confronting internal weaknesses and not yielding to short-term gains or political pressure. “Judges must fight internal and external encroachments with integrity and courage,” wrote Justice Shah, underscoring the need for ethical resilience in today’s challenging legal environment. Justice Shah clarified that internal criticism within the judiciary should not be viewed as disloyalty. Instead, he called it a deeper expression of loyalty to the Constitution of Pakistan and the democratic system.
He urged judges to reject personal gains and act in a way that enhances public trust and the dignity of the Supreme Court of Pakistan. The judgment sends a strong message against judicial complacency, stating that the legacy of a judge is not shaped by silence or comfort but by principled deviation from the status quo when justice is at stake. “History remembers those who stand for principles. It will not absolve judges who compromise their constitutional duties,” he warned. Justice Shah highlighted the critical role of the courts as protectors of constitutional morality and democratic values, describing the Supreme Court as the “constitutional conscience of the nation.” His remarks come at a time of growing public debate around judicial autonomy in Pakistan. Legal experts have called the judgment a timely reminder of the ethical responsibilities of judges and the need for the judiciary to remain independent from all forms of external influence.
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