Supreme Court lawyer proposes cost free justice

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi
(Pakistan News & Features Services) 

“All our laws should be translated in the local languages of each area so that people understand the implications of laws, instead of legal battle between parties through learned advocates.”

This was suggested by eminent lawyer, author and activist, Dr Raees M Mushtaq, during an exclusive interview with PNFS on June 19. 

A senior advocate of Supreme Court of Pakistan, he firmly believed that people be facilitated in understanding law before claiming that ignorance of law was no excuse.

“All of us are aware that under Islamic law there is no concept of an advocate. I would therefore suggest that, after enforcement of laws there should be one judge in each or two union counsels. He should paid handsome salary of around PKR 500,000 per month plus car besides a proper house to live,” the Nawabshah-based lawyer of international fame pointed out.

 “I am confident that our fellow advocates will opt for the jobs and they will be bound down to decide the matter within 30 days and there will be only one right of appeal before the district judge,” Dr Raees Mushtaq proposed. 

“The chairman of the union counsel shall be ex-officio Station House Officer (SHO) of the area and his members shall have power of a policeman and they will be collectively responsible for any undetected crime in the area. If the judge fails to decide the case within 30 days he will cease to be judge and another judge shall be appointed in his place. The courts shall be located in any of the mosques of that area,” he explained. 

Raees Mushtaq, having started his practice in 1959 at the age of 24, is also a renowned social activist having carried out welfare work for over half a century. 

He has authored several books and articles. Acclaimed for possessing full grip on the problems of Pakistan and its solutions, he has penned popular books like Pakistan: Western or Islamic Democracy, Password to Prosperity, Pakistan: The Fortress of Islam and Call to elect honest and sincere leadership.