News
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Rule of law will lead to development: CJP* Justice Iftikhar says it is duty of legislature to repeal outdated laws to ensure protection of human rights
Staff Report
LAHORE: Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry has said that safety and security of every citizen is the responsibility of every organ of the state and it is the rule of law which will bring economic and social development and will strengthen the democratic system.
He said, “A strong defensive mechanism can provide a sense of national integrity and security to some extent but it is the social, political and economic well being of the people which ensure their existence as a civilised and a proud nation.”
The CJP was addressing the inaugural session of a three-day regional seminar on “Justice for All and Impunity for none” held under auspices of the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA).
Lawyers’ delegations from Indian, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, Fiji, UK and other countries are participating in the seminar.
The CJP delivered his speech on the topic of “People’s Security and the Rule of Law”. He said that it was the constitutional obligation of the state to establish peace and security for its people while the rule of law checks unbridled exercise of powers by state institutions and ensures security to masses.
Speaking about the role of judiciary, the CJP said that it had to ensure the protection of human rights and civil liberties. He said that no doubt judiciary was the ultimate protector of the rights of citizens but it was the duty of the legislation to repeal outdated laws and formulate proper legislation to ensure protection of human rights.
He said the constitution had defined the role and power of every organ of the state and none of them can transgress the limit of the other and these had to work within its jurisdictional domain. He said that each one had to contribute for safety, protection and development of the people
He said the suo motu action taken by Supreme Court in the missing persons case, a good number of missing people returned to their dear and near ones. He urged for proper legislation in this regard, as it would be of great help for the people.
The CJP said that there was a need to strictly check disappearance of people, especially in Balochistan and alleged extra-judicial killing.
He also appreciated the role of the SCBA in the rule of law and organising the seminar to enlighten the people about the role and responsibility of the judiciary.
Paying tribute to CJP Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry for his stance against corruption in society, SCBA President Asma Jahangir names him as “Anna Hazare” of Pakistan. Kisan Baburao Hazare is an Indian social activist and a prominent leader in the 2011 Indian anti-corruption movement.
Asma said that her friends from legal fraternity of India asked her whether there was any brave person in Pakistan like Anna Hazare of India. She said, “I said yes, our chief justice of Pakistan is Anna Hazare of our country.”
Pravin H Parek, president Indian Supreme Court Bar Association, paid rich tribute to the CJP for taking a strong stand against a dictator, saying he is highly respected in the global legal fraternity.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk