Judiciary helped government complete its term: CJ

Chief justice says the current judiciary is not the same as the one before 2007.

ISLAMABAD: The current judiciary has taken oath to protect the Constitution and it was the judiciary which helped the democratic government complete its term, said Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry on Sunday.

The chief justice was addressing the three-day International Judicial Conference held at the Supreme Court to adopt the “Islamabad Declaration 2013”.

He said that the current judiciary is not the same as the one before 2007, which is why it revoked the Contempt of Court 2012 law and gave the higher judges the right to take suo motu notices.

“I feel privileged that the Pakistani judicial system is the strongest backer of democracy which enjoys full confidence and faith of legal fraternity, other institutions as well as public at large,” the chief justice said.

“In recent years, the judiciary as the third pillar of the state has successfully emerged as a saviour and a protector of constitutional supremacy and fundamental rights. Judicial activism on the part of the apex court has not only strengthened the judicial system as a whole, but has also enhanced public trust and confidence in the formal justice system,” he added.