There is no confrontation between the judiciary and executive except delay on part of the government in implementing Supreme Court orders, which does not pose a real threat to the judiciary, SC Justice Javed Iqbal said on Saturday. He was addressing a farewell reception hosted in his honour by the Punjab Bar Council, ahead of his retirement as a Supreme Court judge.
“The judiciary is protecting the constitution and eradicating corruption and its good effects have started to be felt be at the national level,” he said. Justice Javed said the situation in the country could not afford a clash among the institutions. He said the SC wanted to end corruption with sincere efforts of the government and parliament.
“Some orders against which review petitions are filed by the government are not being implemented immediately, considering them a matter pending before the court. If we see the overall picture, the government is cooperating with the judiciary in implementing its decisions, and if any loophole is left out, that will also be filled with consensus and without a conflict,” Justice Javed said.
Responding to queries after his address, Justice Javed Iqbal said the Supreme Court was discharging its duties strictly within the limits defined by the constitution. “The SC is duty-bound to interpret the laws made by legislators and both organs perform their duties in this respect with an aim to doing well for the people and the country. And confrontation of the institutions has to disserve this purpose,” he said.
“Be it the judiciary or the executive, both are institutions of the state and any clash between them will take its toll on the state. As such, everyone must be patient and act according to the constitution and the law in the larger interest of the country,” he added. To a question, Justice Javed strongly turned down reports that the judiciary was partner with the army in a plan to share rule in the country on the pattern of Bangladesh and was confronting the executive for the very reason.
