Justice A.H.M.D Nawaz has stressed that it should be ensured that the law is perceived as a friend and a protector of the people and not viewed as instrument of oppression.

He was addressing the ceremonial sittings held at the Supreme Court recently for six newly-appointed Supreme Court Justices. Justice Nawaz said:

“The judiciary’s biggest challenge today was to make the law socially relevant and a friend, rather than an enemy, of the people. I entertain the sanguine hope that we will be able to contribute to the urgent need to salvage the image of the law so that it, in fact, is, and is properly perceived to be, a friend and protector of the people instead of being viewed as an instrument of oppression or discrimination.

The law cannot be alienating, arbitrary and exclusionary. I am grateful for the opportunity to make the law more accessible to ordinary citizens.

I entertain the sanguine hope that we will be able to contribute to the urgent need to salvage the image of the law so that it, in fact, is, and is properly perceived to be, a friend and protector of the people instead of being viewed as an instrument of oppression or discrimination.

It is only through the restoration of the legitimacy of the law that law can play its most important role in bringing justice to the people and restoring the moral fabric of our society so tragically undermined by various instances in the past.

While the responsibility to develop the law may devolve, ultimately, upon the 17 justices of the Supreme Court, this process is a matter for collaboration between bar and bench. They are institutions with close historical and personal associations. The bar loses its raison d’etre if the Court has to decide a matter unaided. I scarce think it is harder to resolve very difficult cases in law, than it is to direct the bar what course it should take to enable itself to do so. There is thus a joint journey which must be undertaken with a faith which is optimistic and a temper which is positive.”