Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar on Thursday reiterated that there was no space for any martial law in the constitution and that he would rather go home than endorsing any such undemocratic move.

Addressing a ceremony held in connection with the renaming of auditorium at the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) building after late human rights activist Asma Jahangir, the CJP once again ruled out the possibility of a ‘judicial martial law’ being imposed in the country, saying that there is no provision in the constitution that allows for such a move. “There is no space for any martial law in the constitution,” the CJP stressed. “If I’m unable to stop [the imposition of martial law], then I will go home but never endorse [such a move].”

The CJP said he could only laugh at the talk of a ‘judicial takeover’, adding that such rumours appeared to have been spread through ‘some design or plan’. “The time has passed for us [judges] to hold our posts with this filth on our foreheads,” he said, referring to martial law regimes and their coerced provisional constitutional orders. “There will only be democracy, democracy and democracy in this country,” he upheld, adding that the judiciary will not let even a word of the constitution be marred in any way.

The top judge assured the audience that no delay in elections will be allowed as it is not permissible in the constitution of Pakistan. “Apart from the constitution, there is faith that the people of Pakistan have entrusted upon me, which I will not breach,” he said.

He paid tribute to Asma Jahangir for her humanitarian efforts, saying that he would consider her a sister. While terming the world renowned lawyer a ‘fearless’ woman, he said it will be a long time before someone can fill her shoes.

Recalling the days when they worked together, the chief justice said Asma Jahangir would volunteer to take up cases of women who could not afford lawyers. “She always had the courage and passion to work for the poor and downtrodden people of society,” the CJP said, adding, “I don’t have much words to express her personality.”

Published in Daily Times, April 6^th 2018.