The judiciary is the most sanctimonious institution of the state and the individuals manning it deserve utmost respect by the people and society. However, respect and veneration do not come automatically. The judges have to earn it through their decisions and verdicts strictly in conformity with the constitution and law premised on principles of fairness and equality of citizens.

When any judge or judges deviate from these established principles of jurisprudence then they justifiably come under criticism. Our history is replete with innumerable verdicts delivered by pliable judges that have had a debilitating impact on the polity. No wonder then that Pakistan stands at the lowest rung as far as the dispensation of justice is concerned.

The SC has initiated contempt of court proceedings against Senator Faisal Wada and Mustafa Kamal in which they allegedly hurled threats at the judges and used unpalatable language against them. Similarly, the IHC has also formed two larger benches for contempt proceedings against persons involved in a smear campaign against Justice Babar Sattar and Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kiani on social media.

Members sitting on both sides must realize that the public did not send them to the parliament to fight duels but to resolve their problems.

What would be the outcome of these contempt of court proceedings cannot be predicted but judging by the mood of the judiciary at the moment things are not going to go smoothly. It is honestly felt that nobody has the right to threaten the judges or subject them to personal criticism. Even the members of the parliament cannot discuss the conduct of the judges in the house. I am not challenging the........

© Daily Times