New Delhi, Oct 21 (IANS): Asking the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to act with honesty and disregard political pressure, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Friday said the agency would continue to play an important role irrespective of the Lokpal.

While expressing hope to set up "a strong and effective Lokpal in the coming months", Singh said: "The CBI will continue to play a very important role irrespective of the shape of the Lokpal."

He was addressing the biennial conference of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and state anti-corruption bureaus here.

"We expect from the CBI the highest standards of honesty and professionalism and a total disregard of any extraneous considerations, particularly political pressure, in its work," he said.

Observing that the CBI is a premier investigation agency, he said it sets standards and benchmarks for investigation for other agencies to follow, particularly in cases of corruption.

He said to reduce pendency of CBI cases under trial, the government has decided to set up a committee under a retired Supreme Court judge to review cases pending trial for more than 10 years.

The government has sanctioned 71 Special Courts for the CBI to fast track the trial of cases chargesheeted by the CBI, he said.

"I would expect secretary, DoPT, and director, CBI, to follow up with the state governments for also making the remaining courts functional at the very earliest," said the prime minister.

He said the government would examine the CBI's request for greater financial autonomy, increase in funds for modernization and has asked for additional personnel.