CJP Bandial says election within 90 days a constitutional duty, not choice
Pakistan
The CJ says SC isn't looking for excuses, will follow constitution in Punjab election case
LAHORE (Dunya News) - Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial on Sunday said the Constitution called for elections within 90 days after the dissolution of assemblies and left no choice for a delay.
“As far as constitutional enforcement is concerned, we must not blink our eyes,” he said while speaking at a conference on minority rights in Lahore. The CJ's comments came after the judiciary and the coalition government are continuing to lock horns over timeframe for holding polls in Punjab.
The CJ made remarks regarding the judiciary's role in ensuring justice and the protection of fundamental rights in Pakistan. During the seminar titled "Rights for minorities in constitution of Pakistan," the chief justice spoke about the importance of upholding the constitution and protecting the rights of minorities.
Regretting that the matter was being called a “controversy”, the CJ said: “I’m sorry, I am not worthy of controversy.” As the PTI has launched rallies in solidarity with the chief justice, Justice Bandial told the participants: “Please don’t say that you support us. I am just one of the members of the Supreme Court. You must support the SC if you stand up for the law and the Constitution and not for any individual.”
He said the SC and its judges had no existence individually but as a unit [and] as a constitutional organ. Justice Bandial praised the contributions of Justice AR Cornelius, a former judge of the Supreme Court, who he said was a good jurist and simplistic.
Chief Justice Bandial also spoke about the ongoing Punjab election case, stating that the court was not looking for excuses and was committed to following the constitution. He emphasised that if a judicial decision was not challenged, it would be considered final.
Turning his attention to Pakistan's ongoing struggle with terrorism, the chief justice noted that the country had lost more than 80,000 lives in the war against terrorism.
He stressed that every citizen had basic rights that must be protected, and it was the right of the Supreme Court to ensure that those rights were upheld.
The chief justice also spoke about the need for judges to have the qualities of Justice Cornelius in order to ensure justice was done. He added that the decisions of courts have moral authority and that protecting the constitution was one of the judiciary's basic duties.
Justice Cornelius was known for his landmark decisions, including declaring the dissolution of assemblies by the governor-general as illegal in 1955. He also played a key role in lifting the ban on the Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) in 1964.
Chief Justice Bandial emphasised the importance of resolving issues through dialogue and promoting knowledge as a means of developing the country. He reiterated that everyone was subject to the law, and when the truth was avoided, justice was avoided.
