ISLAMABAD: A full court reference was held here today to pay tributes to services of outgoing CJP Asif Saeed Khosa.
Conspicuous among others, attending the reference, there were judges of the apex court, Vice Chairman of Pakistan Bar Council and President of Supreme Court Bar Association.
Outgoing CJP has remarked in his farewell speech that a campaign seemed to have been launched to defame him and the institution of judiciary: “I believe that a judge, besides being just and fair to all, should have a heart of a lion, nerves of steel, wisdom of a sage, expression of a man of letters and approach full of empathy and compassion. These were the ideals that I strived to follow but I do not know how successfully…
“I can, however, confidently say, and Allah Almighty be my witness for it, that I always tried to be true to the oath of my office. I gave my hundred percent to the job, tried to perform beyond the call of duty, never raised my voice, spoke mainly through my pen, never delayed a judgment unduly and after giving the best years of my life to this public service I lay down my robes today with a conscience which is clear as crystal.
“I, however, in all humility at my command, seek forgiveness from all those in whose cases my judgment might have gone wrong unwittingly and also from those whose feelings I might have hurt unintentionally,” CJP stated addressing the audience.
Earlier, clarifying the news reports attributed to him apropos the Special Court’s Judgment in the High Treason case against General (R) Pervez Musharraf (in a statement released to Media before addressing the full court) he said he was accused of supporting verdict against General (R) Musharraf when he had never done so. He held that the truth would prevail.
CJP Asif Saeed Khosa, who is set to retire at midnight today, will be ending a 20-year-long career in the judiciary. He will be replaced by Justice Gulzar Ahmad who will take oath as the 27th CJP tomorrow (Saturday 21st day of December, 2019). President Arif Alvi will administer Justice Gulzar Ahmad the oath.
News Pakistan
