Rights of those tried for criminal activities must not be violated: CJ

Justice Nasirul Mulk says it is incumbent upon every judge to protect people's freedom

ISLAMABAD: Stressing that the judges were obligated to uphold liberties of the accused, Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Justice Nasirul Mulk said on Thursday that rights of people currently being tried for criminal cases should not be violated. 

Mulk’s announcement came during a full court session held in the Supreme Court today (Thursday) in the memory of former Supreme Court Justice Mamoon Kazi, who passed away in April last year.

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“Judiciary is the guardian of constitutionally protected vestiges of the French Revolution: life, liberty and property of the people," chief justice said. "It is incumbent upon every judge, to check the excesses of administration and to protect people's freedom.”

“The modern criminal justice system is broadly tasked with meting out retributive justice while simultaneously protecting the rights of the accused. It is the obligation of a judge, as guardian of the text and spirit of the Constitution, to ensure that the rights of the accused are not violated in the process of criminal adjudication," he added.

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The chief justice also said that a true from of democracy will only take form when the judiciary will actively ensure executive compliance with the dictates of the Constitution.