AT long last, Chief Justice of Pakistan Saqib Nasir thought it appropriate to go outside Punjab and Sindh and look into what is happening in two other provinces, where things are far from satisfactory.

His visit to Quetta for three days afforded him an opportunity to get himself apprised of the ground realities there and that is why he has summoned two former Chief Ministers of the province to explain what they did during their tenures to resolve numerous issues faced by the people of Balochistan.

Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Saqib Nisar said that formulating the laws in not judiciary’s prerogative, rather, it is the duty of legislators to formulate the laws and make amendments in the present laws.

while addressing a ceremony, CJP spoke about the judicial system of the country. ‘He questioned the capability of judges and asked that, where have all the capable Judges gone?’ He lamented about the absence of passion within the judiciary.

He held judges responsible for delaying the cases for a lengthy period of time. He expressed dismay over the delay in justice for 30 to 40 years and questioned the role of judges in it. “How can it take 15-years for a case trial to conclude? I don’t understand this,” he asked.

On the subject of salaries and fringe benefits associated with top judges, he said, “Being part of this respected profession, we [judges] must justify the perks, we get from our services. The salaries, we get are similar to other top privileged civil servants in the country.”

While addressing the lawyers in bar room at Quetta’s district court, the top judge announced the initial legal reforms and termed the current laws obsolete [since civil procedure code was made in 1908], it is no longer compatible with the current conditions prevailing in the country.

CJP criticizes political leaders over their failure to solve the basic issues like health, education, and security of its citizens. CJP regrets that legislators even have no time to legislate to improve the judicial system of the country. PPP has accused Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) for restricting judicial reforms.

Governance is, no doubt, not domain of the judiciary but the interest that the Chief Justice of Pakistan is taking in resolving issues that directly concern with masses would hopefully help improve the situation. There is corruption all over the country but reports say there is proverbial corruption in Balochistan and in some cases roads claimed to have been built in fifties and sixties do not exist on ground.

Balochistan is the main beneficiary of the transfer of resources through 18th Constitutional Amendment and greater share of provinces under National Finance Commission award but still these resources are not being judiciously utilized for resolution of problems of the people. Infrastructure development is key to progress and prosperity but no Government except that of PML-N took any tangible measures to development provincial infrastructure on modern lines.

This is despite the fact that we have had Prime Ministers from Balochistan and effective and towering Federal Ministers, Governors and Chief Ministers. Apart from the tribal mindset of local Sardars who try to blunt efforts aimed at development of their areas for vested interests, there are complaints of massive bungling and misuse of funds and resources.

The province is also rich in mineral deposits and their exploitation could change destiny of its people but these too have been politicized or scandalised. There has also been misuse of Balochistan domicile generating frustration and resentment among its impoverished people. Hopefully, the Chief Justice would look into these and other issues to help improve things in Balochistan as per expectations of its people in his next visit.

CJP has re-emphasized a number of times that he does not intend to interfere in the work of the executive and provincial Governments but is compelled to do so due to the appalling state of affairs in provinces.

After being criticized for taking too many Suo Moto cases, CJP is on a mission to restore the collapsed reputation of Pakistan’s judicial system, which is agonizingly expensive and lengthy at the same time.