Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry on Saturday said the Supreme Court would not retreat even an inch from the constitution in its dispensation of justice.
Speaking to a gathering of lawyers at the Karachi Bar, the chief justice said the judiciary was taking all decisions in accordance with the constitution of Pakistan. He said the courts made all decisions within the framework of constitution and could not at all digress from it.
“When the decisions were not made in accordance with the constitution, neither democracy nor parliament survived,” the CJ said.
He said the apex court’s order of July 31, 2012 had put an end to unconstitutional steps that were being taken.
Justice Iftikhar was referring to a July court order on the worsening law and order in Balochistan.
The CJ added that Balochistan issue was under hearing in the court, so not much could be said about it. He said the petition relating to Balochistan issue came from the bar, which was a surprising but good move.
Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry said lawyers were deeply affected by the events of May 12, 2007 and April 9, 2007. He added that a strong bar would boost the strength of the country’s judiciary.
SC not to retreat ‘even an inch’ from constitution: CJ
