LAHORE – Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Saqib Nisar on Friday ruled out the possibility of a judicial martial law in the country as there is no space for it in the Constitution.
The chief justice stated this while addressing a ceremony regarding Pakistan Day in Lahore, adding, “When I am here there will be no martial law”.
Without going into detail, Nisar said that no any martial law will be imposed from inside or outside.
The comments of the top judge of the country came after political leaders called for judicial intervention to setup a caretaker government before going into the general elections 2018.
On Wednesday, Awami Muslim League (AML) chief Sheikh Rasheed had urged the chief justice of Pakistan to impose a 90-day-long ‘judicial martial law’ in the run-up to forthcoming general elections.
He said appointing the caretaker prime minister is the actual responsibility of the chief justice as the whole nation was looking up to the judiciary in this regard.
On Thursday, renowned politician Javed Hashmi said that Awami Muslim League chief Sheikh Rasheed’s statement backed his warning that a plan is underway to impose judicial martial law.
However, the chief justice said that transparent elections will be held, adding that anything against the Constitution will not be tolerated. No one will be allowed to derail democracy in Pakistan, he said.
The chief justice vowed that accountability will not be conducted on the basis of the status of persons, adding that only law will prevail in the country.
He also stressed on unity, saying independence and freedom can be protected by remaining united.
He added, “The most important aspects for a country to progress are leadership, supremacy of law, independent judiciary and impartial provision of justice.”
