Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar Friday said that there is no provision in the country’s constitution for a ‘judicial martial law’.

“There’s no concept of judicial martial law in the constitution,” the CJP asserted while addressing a congregation of students at Lahore’s Cathedral School on the Pakistan Day. “There are no chances of martial law, from inside or outside,” he added, without elaborating.

The CJP said judges had also taken an oath to protect the law and the constitution. He stressed that there was no threat to democracy in Pakistan. “Anything considered beyond the constitution will not be tolerated. We will not let democracy derail,” he said. “The most important aspects for a country to progress are leadership, supremacy of law, independent judiciary and impartial provision of justice,” he added.

The chief justice said the country should be run in accordance with the law and constitution. “In Pakistan, only law will prevail,” the chief justice asserted, adding that autocratic rule would not flourish in Pakistan as long as he is the chief justice.

The CJP hoped that the upcoming elections would be independent and the next government would be formed in accordance with the constitution. He insisted that it was the duty of a judge to treat everyone, be it a ruler or a common citizen, equally. “We are fortunate we were born in an independent country,” he said.

The CJP emphasised that the country has to function in accordance with the constitution and the rule of law. Upholding that there will be justice without bias in the country, the chief justice assured that accountability will not be held on the basis of a person’s status.

He also highlighted the need to unite as a nation and said it’s the only way independence and freedom can be safeguarded.

On the occasion, the CJP declared that the minorities of Pakistan were ‘very dear’ to the judiciary, recalling that Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah had said on numerous occasions that non-Muslim communities in Pakistan would have the same rights as the Muslim majority.

Justice Nisar also highlighted the importance of education. “Education is the secret to the progress of a nation,” he told students. “I ask you for one sacrifice: to acquire knowledge because nations that do not learn are left behind.”

Published in Daily Times, March 24^th 2018.