Supreme Court Bar Association President Asma Jahangir has said the judiciary is performing its constitutional duty by keeping a check on the performance of the government.
She said the judiciary was a reliable institution and a part of the democratic process, adding that there was no concept of justice without democracy. She said government functionaries could no longer influence the judiciary.
She was addressing the annual meeting of the SCBA executive committee at Supreme Court Lahore registry.
She said she had never faced any pressure from the government during her tenure.
She lauded lawyers for launching a movement for the independence of the judiciary and added that the judiciary would not have been restored had the lawyers not taken to the roads.
She, however, said her struggle had not started with the lawyers’ movement, nor had it ended with it. She said she had been struggling for human rights since her childhood.
She said merit was not being observed in the appointment of superior courts judges, and added that women should also be elevated to the bench.
She said if the executive tried to deviate from implementation of apex court decisions, the lawyers and bar council would not allow it to do so.
She added that she had received many life threats during her tenure, but said of those behind them that they should bear in mind that no one could frighten a lawyer.
No justice without democracy: Asma
