Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry has said that judiciary has a responsibility to refrain state institutions from taking unconstitutional measures. Speaking to a delegation of PAF War College here on Saturday, the Chief Justice said the Supreme Court could strike down all laws, orders and steps, which were in contrast to the Constitution.
"We have made it clear that army can intervene in civil matters only under Article 245 of the Constitution," he said. The CJ said that rule of law and respect for fundamental rights were the foundation of democracy. "Unfortunately, many incidents of constitutional violations happened in our country in the past," he recalled.
He said that back-to-back martial laws damaged Pakistan's constitutional history. He said courts decided all the cases in the light of constitution. "The aim of the judgements is to ensure supremacy of the constitution. There is reduction in pending cases as a result of the judicial policy." He urged the participants to study court judgements to make them aware of constitutional obligations. Pakistan was facing challenges of terrorism, nepotism and corruption at that phase, he said, adding that all national bodies must work together to make it a welfare state.