Peace through law: Weak rule of law spawns militancy, says CJP

Adds all major world religions carry message of peace.

LAHORE:

Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry said on Saturday that past constitutional deviations and a weak rule of law have resulted in mushrooming militancy and terrorism, adding that the government should adopt a constitutional way to cope with such issues.

The chief justice made the comments in an address to participants of a two-day conference, “Peace through Law” organised by the Supreme Court Bar Association at a hotel in Lahore. A delegation of Indian lawyers also attended the conference.

Chief Justice Chaudhry stressed the importance of peace among nations, states and institutions, adding that respecting national and international laws guarantees peace.

“The cumulative effect of constitutional deviations and weak rule of law in the past has resulted in present day militant and terrorist tendencies in certain regions of our country. There has been a mushroom growth of militancy which subsequently challenged the writ of the state,” he said. “Ultimately, the state had to respond and counter these militant organisations. The response, however, has to be within the framework of the Constitution.”

He added that if the Constitution and law were followed in letter and spirit, there would be no room for terrorism and all outstanding issues could be resolved.

He also used the occasion to point out that India and Pakistan are facing the same kinds of challenges.

The chief justice gave similar statements in Karachi later in the day, saying that the country would only witness a change through the law in a peaceful manner.

Everyone, including the legal fraternity, must work together to bring about a change in the country, he said, while addressing a roll signing ceremony of advocates of the Supreme Court at the Karachi Registry.

No one could be allowed to take the law into their own hands or take up arms, he said, adding that such people should be produced before courts for dispensation of justice.

Islam and peace

Addressing the SCBA conference, Justice Chaudhry said Islam is undoubtedly a peaceful religion as are all other religions. It is a lack of understanding of the true spirit of faiths that is creating differences.

“I believe that like Islam, all major religions of the world carry the message of peace-making and peace-keeping,” he added.

The chief justice said it is unfortunate that people have become fragmented into religious and ethnic sects without understanding the true spirit of religious thought and philosophy.

He blamed these deep-rooted rifts for the rise in terrorism, bloodshed, human rights violations and other evils that are perpetuating extremism and radicalism and effecting global peace.

The best way to address these issues, he said, is through bridging the gaps among individuals and states through common understanding and sharing knowledge.

CJ summons PIA staff over flight delay

Incensed by his delayed flight at Lahore airport, Justice Chaudhry reprimanded the officials who told him that the delay was due to technical faults.

The PIA management delayed the departure of the Karachi-bound flight, PK-303, three times on Saturday. It was originally scheduled to take off at 11:00am and did not leave Lahore until 3:00pm.

Expressing his resentment over the delay, the chief justice advised airport administration to take all steps necessary to assure the timely departures of flights so that passengers do not experience unnecessary inconveniences.  (With additional input from Sunara Nizami and additional reporting by our correspondent in Lahore and Naeem Sahoutara in Karachi)

Published in The Express Tribune, October 21^st, 2012.