CJP Faez Isa emphasizes citizens’ Right to Information for Accountability

The Chief Justice stated that information on all significant decisions of the Supreme Court is available on the court’s website.

Islamabad – Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Faez Isa, highlighted the importance of citizens’ access to information, stating that the process of accountability will only commence once the public has the necessary information. According to the Chief Justice, the right to information is a legal entitlement of citizens, and providing information upon request is not the discretion of the institution but its obligation.

During a workshop in Islamabad, Chief Justice Isa asserted that the right to access information is fundamental, and information from court decisions reaches the public through court reporters. He explained that there are two aspects of the constitution: Article 19, which addresses the freedom of the press, and Article 19A, which grants the right to information.

Chief Justice Isa shared that a common citizen, Muktadar Ahmed, filed a request in the Supreme Court, seeking details of government employees. In response, the Supreme Court directed the Supreme Court registrar to provide the information within seven days.

He emphasized that federal government institutions are obligated to provide information to citizens, not just under the law but also under the constitution. Therefore, the registrar was instructed to provide the requested information to the citizen.

The Chief Justice stated that information on all significant decisions of the Supreme Court is available on the court’s website, allowing every citizen to access it. He underscored that those seeking information will not be questioned about why they need it; rather, they have the right to access information, and it is the institution’s responsibility to provide it.

Read more: Justice Qazi Faez Isa appointed 29th CJP

Justice Faez Isa affirmed that the commencement of accountability will only occur when citizens have access to information. He also mentioned that there had been no full-court meetings for four years before he became Chief Justice of Pakistan. Now, the Supreme Court is actively engaging in direct judicial proceedings, enhancing the standard of judicial actions.

Regarding the Supreme Court’s performance, he informed that the court has issued its first report in history, with the purpose of providing information on judicial decisions available on the website. The report indicates that 4,466 cases have been registered, and 5,305 cases have been disposed of, demonstrating the court’s efforts to handle as many cases as possible.

Read more: JIT formed to stop social media campaign against Supreme Court judges

Justice Isa highlighted that the Supreme Court has presented itself for accountability, appointing the first female District and Sessions Judge as the registrar of the Supreme Court. He stated that they are creating a monument of fundamental rights, and the purpose of establishing this monument is to make information accessible to the general public.