Courts can shoot down anti-people laws: CJP

HYDERABAD:

Chief Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali said on Saturday that both individuals and organisations of the public and private sectors are required under the Constitution to safeguard human rights.

The chief justice said this behaviour is the basis of human safety and privileges, and necessary for the progress of the personality of an individual, as well as the society as a whole.



Addressing the 15th convocation of the Liaquat University of Medical & Health Sciences (LUMHS) at Jamshoro, he said the courts could reject under Article 8 of the Constitution any policy or law that is against human rights.

The CJP reminded everyone that the 1973 Constitution acknowledges the untiring struggle of the people in the creation of Pakistan, and sets the minimum standard for the protection of their economic and social rights.

He said the Constitution promises immediate and inexpensive justice and social welfare to the citizens without any discrimination.

According to the preamble of the Constitution, he added, the purpose of creating Pakistan was establishing a new order, which meant a democratic welfare state based on the Islamic principles of social justice and where religious tolerance prevails.



Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad and LUMHS Vice-Chancellor Dr Naushad A Sheikh also addressed the convocation, while Supreme Court Justice Amir Hani Muslim and judges from the Sindh High Court also attended the event.


Published in The Express Tribune, February 21^st, 2016.