Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: Dissenting verdicts are given everywhere in the world, but nowhere are they discussed as they are in Pakistan, Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar observed on Monday. He was hearing a suo moto notice taken on a letter written by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan about the growing illegal construction activity in Bani Gala.

Khan appeared before the three-member SC bench that heard the case. Referring to the Panamagate verdict, the CJP said that dignity and respect of judiciary should be maintained. “Your words can move the nation to look at things positively. You are not an ordinary citizen, people look up to you,” the CJP said. “Judges are not Qazis. The courts exercise their jurisdiction in accordance with the law,” The CJP said.

“People come to courts looking for an institution they can trust. It is time to rid of the distrust and move forward,” he said. Imran Khan responded that he and his party had great respect for the judges of the Panamagate bench, who, he said, had done an outstanding job. “Whatever the decision was, we respect the judiciary and will always defend the judges,” he said.