LAHORE - Lahore High Court outgoing Chief Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah on Tuesday said he focused on reforms, progress and dignity of the institution after taking oath of his office.

But, he said, the inside mafia in every institution would support status quo and put up resistance to change and reforms. He expressed these views while addressing a full court reference in his honour on his elevation to the Supreme Court.

He dispelled the impression that contract for the IT project was given to any of his relative. He said it was sheer propaganda and an offer of the Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB) for development of case management system was already pending with the Lahore High Court when he took charge as chief justice.

“The offer was accepted and the project was started,” he said. He said the Punjab government had given Rs380 million to a company for the project.

“The high court has no role in implementation of enterprise case management system,” Justice Shah said, adding, “The project was handled by the PITB from consultancy to installation.”

He rejected the view that the World Bank had any kind of role in installation of the case management system in the high court. However, the Alternate Dispute Resolution Centre was established with the support of the World Bank, he said.

He said that all employees of the high court had been given timescale promotions and upgrade. He said he made efforts to introduce the Lahore High Court to the world. Many international funds, including Asian Development Bank, supported different projects for the district judiciary, he stated. Justice Shah said the Punjab Judicial Academy had become one of the best academies in South Asia.

Designated Chief Justice Muhammad Yawar Ali appreciated the outgoing chief justice’s efforts, saying that it had been a great opportunity of learning for him under his leadership. He said the high court would miss him and they were all happy about his elevation to the Supreme Court.