Law applies to all: CJP

Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry on Saturday said law applies to all irrespective of their status, power, caste, creed and religion and no one can claim supremacy over and above the law. He was talking to a 50-member delegation of Youth Parliament accompanied by Chairman Steering Committee S.M. Zafar, member Wazir Ahmed Jogezai, former Deputy Speaker, National Assembly and officers of Youth Parliament Secretariat.
"Where any question of public importance arises with reference to the enforcement of any of the Fundamental Rights ensured by the Constitution of Pakistan; then the Supreme Court has the power to make any appropriate order for the enforcement of these rights," the Chief Justice remarked.
He said the apex court in its successive judgements has stressed the need for adherence to the law and the Constitution and compliance with rule of law and due process requirement to establish a system of civilised governance in the country. Welcoming the delegation, the CJ said youth being a crucial segment of society forms the basis for future development and lauded the project of the `Youth Parliament of Pakistan' launched by the Pakistan Institute of Legislative Development.
"I am hopeful that the aspirant and zealous young people of today will prove to be the true leaders of democracy in future." Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry said the Parliament is required to give laws in accordance with Constitution for the betterment of the public at large so that laws can be made applicable and added that they cannot legislate any law repugnant to Constitution and injunctions of Islam and contrary to fundamental laws.
"If such law is promulgated, the Supreme Court under its power of Judicial Review can review it. The underlying object of judicial review is to check the abuse of power by the public functionaries and ensuring just and fair treatment to the citizens in accordance with the law and constitutional norms."
He said every organ of the state enjoys complete institutional independence within its constitutional domain, however, any excess or misuse of power beyond that domain becomes the subject matter of judicial scrutiny. The judicial institution of the State with Supreme Court as the final arbiter, acts as the ultimate protector of the rights of citizens and upholder of the constitutional supremacy. He said the Supreme Court, to the exclusion of any other court, has the jurisdiction to pronounce declaratory judgements in any dispute between the Federal Government and a provincial government or between any two or more provincial governments under Art 184(1).
The Chief Justice of Pakistan advising members of Youth Parliament to study basic features of our Constitution and also how the document has been interpreted by courts to acquaint themselves with the constitutional history and the role of superior courts in protecting the fundamental rights and the constitutional development of Pakistan.
Senator S.M. Zafar said Youth Parliament is willing to bring about change if they are given chance they can bring about a change. He further pointed out that in our country education has not been taken care of because if it had been properly taken care of, our country would have flourished more and more.
The Chief Justice of Pakistan presented Supreme Court Annual Report to Youth Parliament that provides information on the working of the Supreme Court. The delegation also presented a shield to Chief Justice of Pakistan. Earlier, Dr Faqir Hussain, Registrar Supreme Court of Pakistan welcomed Youth Parliament on their visit to Supreme Court of Pakistan.