Not bothered by criticism, will protect rights: CJP

Says Constitution allows courts to step in for protection of citizens’ fundamental rights

KARACHI: Stressing that it is responsibility of the judiciary to protect the fundamental rights of citizens guaranteed under the Constitution, Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar has said he is not bothered by any criticism and is determined to carry out his responsibility.

“The purpose of my visit [to the Lahore’s Mayo Hospital to inspect facilities on Tuesday] was to ensure protection of human lives,” he said on Friday, while referring to the criticism over his visit.

“I am neither a politician nor willing to become a leader,” he clarified, adding that he would go to any extent for protection of fundamental rights.



The CJP was heading a five-judge special bench, which unusually conducted hearing on Saturday, the day-off for superior judiciary, of a 24-year-old case relating to environmental pollution in the city’s coastal areas and poisoning due to untreated release of industrial and municipal waste into the sea.

Justice Nisar, who also faced criticism over his recent remarks in which he likened role of the judiciary to that of an elder ‘baba’, said the ruling class was responsible for the worsening state of affairs.

Taking on the past and present rulers, he said heads of the state institutions were responsible for the current crises. “No labourer or driver has ever done any harm to the country. Those who have been in power are responsible,” he added.



The CJP noted that it was written twice in the Constitution – in Article 199 and Article 184 – that the courts could step in for protection of the fundamental rights of citizens. “Action will be taken against heads of the concerned departments if anyone is found delinquent towards his duties,” he warned.

On the last hearing, the court had directed the provincial and federal authorities to submit reports about their future plans as well as implementation of the planned projects for disposal of industrial and municipal wastes, their financial implications and timeframe of their completion.

During the Saturday's proceedings, the court directed the provincial chief secretary to submit by next Saturday a list of all officers who were associated with the matter.

He also directed the Additional Attorney General, Salman Talibuddin, to approach the attorney general for Pakistan and the prime minister to make sure all-out help and support was extended to the Sindh government in addressing the issue.

The CJP also told him to make sure the Executive Committee of the National Executive Council (ECNEC) approved release of funds from the federal government’s share for the project to install five combined effluent treatment plants in Karachi and rest of the province.

Talibuddin was also told to submit a report by next Saturday.