ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Supreme Court Judge Justice Athar Minallah said on Saturday that judges should not be swayed by criticism on social media.
Speaking at a training workshop for court reporters in Islamabad on Saturday, Justice Minallah stated that judges should fear no one and should remain impartial despite social media scrutiny.
He said that any judge influenced by criticism, particularly from social media, would be violating their oath. Referring to a historic speech by the founder of Pakistan on August 11, 1947, Justice Minallah highlighted the need for the judiciary to withstand an ongoing series of scrutiny. He said that while criticism serves as an examination for the judiciary, trust in the legal system should coexist with the right to criticize.
Justice Minallah acknowledged the valuable insights gained from court reporters and stressed the significance of upholding freedom of expression. He categorized criticism of the judiciary into two types: one where allegations are made about informed decisions and the other where individuals disagree with the reasons for granting relief.
The Supreme Court judge pointed out that the violation of oaths contributed to the split of Pakistan, urging for introspection. “We should ask ourselves where we are moving to. We desire judgments according to our liking and debates according to our liking,” he added.
