Will resign if I can't stop imposition of martial law, says CJP

Constitution of Pakistan does not allow amendment in the election act, says Justice Nisar

ISLAMABAD: The Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar on Thursday stated he will resign from his position if he can not stop the imposition of martial law in the country.

Speaking at a Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) event, the country's top judge urged the masses to trust him and promised his loyalty in return. "I will try my best to stop the imposition of martial law and there is no possibility of a judicial martial law in the country either," he said.

Justice Nisar further said that he will lose the right to be the CJP if such an event occurs. "We will not allow this shame to be imposed on us. I will protect the country. If I am unable to stop it, I will resign," he assured the attendees.



He concluded by saying, "If we can't do this, if we can't fulfil our basic priorities, then I don't deserve to be CJP."

He also commented on the upcoming general elections and assured that they will be held on time. "The Constitution of Pakistan does not allow amendment in the election act," said the top judge.

Filled with nostalgia, Justice Nisar reminisced of late advocate Asma Jahangir who fought fearlessly for the rights of the oppressed minorities. "Asma considered me as her brother, I respected her as my sister," he said.

He went on to remember Jahangir and her contribution towards justice, how she spoke for those who couldn't, and always supported the truth.

The CJP also said that the room where the conference was being held haunted him as it reminded him of the time Jahangir and he had spent in it. "This room lights up with her presence," he added.

Last month, Awami Muslim League (AML) chief Sheikh Rasheed urged the CJP to impose a 90-day-long ‘judicial martial law’ in the run-up to forthcoming general elections.

Rasheed said appointing the caretaker prime minister is the actual responsibility of the chief justice as the whole nation is looking up to the judiciary in this regard, Express News reported. “Perhaps, the CJP should impose a 90-day-long judicial martial law in the country, but, this martial law should only last till the elections,” he was quoted as saying.



Last week, the country’s top judge ruled out the possibility of ‘judicial martial law’, observing there was no room for it in the Constitution. “There is no question of judicial martial law,” Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar said while addressing a ceremony in connection with Pakistan Day held at Cathedral Church in the provincial capital.

“The Constitution does not allow any such thing,” he added.

Awami Muslim League (AML) chief Sheikh Rashid Ahmed had urged the chief justice a few days back to impose a 90-day-long ‘judicial martial law’ in the run-up to the forthcoming general elections.