Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry. PHOTO: EXPRESS
LAHORE:
Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry asked returning officers on Sunday to render their duties without being influenced.
Addressing the district returning officers, the returning officers and the assistant returning officers from eight districts on Sunday, the CJP said their role was of paramount importance for the upcoming elections to be free, fair and transparent according to law. “You should meet the expectation of the public in general and the judiciary in particular. Utilise all your abilities to ensure transparent election in the country”, he said.
One DRO said in 2009 the judicial policy making committee had decided that the judiciary would not involve itself in election process but now suddenly it had indulged itself. The SC registrar Faqir Muhammad Khokhar said the NJPMC took this decision in the supreme national interest after a formal request from the Election Commission of Pakistan.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 8th, 2013.
COMMENTS (4)
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CJP has nothing to do with elections yet we hear his 'wisdom' on a daily basis...is there nothing which can stop this blatant violation of constitution in the name of constitution and people....kindly dont speak in our name...we beg to differ on most issues with you...its our constitutional right...(unless of course we get a contempt of court notice through a sou motto notice!!!!!)
Loving the picture! LOL!
This speech and every speech he delivers to returning officers is a blatant violation of Constitution! But who cares for rule of law?!
Democracy has not matured in Pakistan. In an ideal democracy, there would be no need for judges to step in to ensure a free and fair process, but when our civilian watchdogs (NAB, FIA, Police, PAC) are lying wounded and crippled, the vacuum has to be filled. Critics, should support clean politics instead of braying about improper balance of power. The balance of power will correct itself, but for now consider for a moment the plight of the citizen. Stop your self righteous sermons of how a perfect democracy should work. We will get there, but not without accountability. . The next logical step is electing politicians who have the moral authority and the public support to correct the balance of power. We cannot simply by-pass this step and move straight towards a perfect democracy. HRCP, Asma J., I'm looking at you.