No space for judicial martial-law in the constitution: Chief Justice of Pakistan

Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Saqib Nisar on Friday ruled out the possibility of a judicial martial law in the country saying, “there is no space for it in the constitution.”

This he said in response to the calls from political leaders for judicial intervention with regards to the caretaker government setup prior to general elections.

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.

The seasoned politician Javed Hashmi while referring to Awami Muslim League chief Sheikh Rasheed’s statement said it Mr Rasheed’s statement has backed his apprehension and it was a warning that a plan underway to impose judicial martial law.

During his address in a Pakistan Day ceremony in Lahore, CJP said “There’s no martial law from the inside or outside. We will not let democracy derail,” he said. “This country will only adhere to the Constitution.”

He said, “The most important aspects for a country to progress are leadership, supremacy of law, independent judiciary and impartial provision of justice.”

Further, the chief justice said, “The country should be run in accordance with law and Constitution.”

“In Pakistan, only law will prevail,” the chief justice asserted.