All SC judges to quit if democracy ambushed: CJP

Says he and all SC judges will step down if any attempt is made to attack democracy

LAHORE: Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar has reiterated that he and his fellow judges will step down if democracy is attacked and an attempt is made to impose a martial law on the country.

“Who will impose the martial law? [However] if anyone attacks democracy or tries to impose martial law, I tell you that I and all 17 judges of the country’s top court will leave,” the CJP said on Saturday.

He was addressing a ceremony held to commemorate the 80th death anniversary of Dr Allama Muhammad Iqbal at the Aiwan-e-Iqbal Complex.

The CJP said he was astonished to see media-persons talking about martial law and its judicial version, adding that the judges could not even comprehend the idea of a judicial martial law.



“Quaid-e-Azam only advocated democracy. We can’t even comprehend the idea of judicial martial law as its provision does not exist in the Constitution,” he said.

The CJP also said the judiciary is totally independent, adding that as father of the institution, he promised not come under anyone’s pressure.

“The judiciary will fight for people’s rights. I am in contact with all institutions and courts and we are reviewing their progress. I will not forgive myself if I fail to perform my duty,” he added.

Talking with reference to the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) slogan ‘Respect the vote’, the top judge said true essence of the slogan is to serve the masses and provide them the basic rights.

“The respect for vote is being talked about… it will be achieved when the people are served. Vote is respected when people are given their fundamental rights according to the Constitution,” he added.

The country’s top judge said the nation did not get Pakistan as charity or gift. “Pakistan has been a result of continuous struggle and countless sacrifices. It is the responsibility of legislators to formulate laws. No laws fulfilling modern requirements have been added to the Constitution,” he said.

He said had Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah been alive, the conditions of the country would have been significantly different. He described leaders and education as “important elements which take the country towards progress”.

Expressing dissatisfaction over the state of education in Pakistan, the CJP said education is of prime importance. “The countries where universities like Harvard and Oxford exist have progressed but here the institutions are being demolished and people are being deprived of their basic rights,” he said.

“We have seen here 80-kanal area of Punjab University being handed over to the government for a grid station. Education is the fundamental right of the people and it is the duty of the government to ensure equal access to all people. We have to put an end to discrimination in school,” he said.



He said the significance of health sector could not be overemphasised. “[However] the condition of hospitals in K-P [Khyber Pakhtunkhwa] and Punjab is not satisfactory. There are no ultrasound machines in hospitals, and no female staff in K-P for an ultrasound. The hospitals do not have CCU wards,” he added.

Talking with reference to pending cases in courts of law, the CJP said cases could not be dealt with so fast owing to multiple factors. “Justice needs to come from our mind rather than computers,” he added.

“Transfer of property, the law of land acquisition, and other laws are outdated. Swift justice is expected with outdated laws. We deal with ordinary cases and then are alleged for not taking cases regarding these issues,” he added.