CHIEF Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial on Monday observed that the recent tirade against the judiciary did not bother the judges as protecting and preserving the Constitution was their duty, saying the courts function 24 hours.
Without naming anyone in particular, the Chief Justice stressed the apex court should be respected.
No doubt, the CJP has expressed the resolve to uphold the rule of law and supremacy of the Constitution but he was visibly disturbed over the smear campaign being spearheaded with clear political motivations as he (CJP) asked why SC should decide on a political crisis when its decisions are criticized at rallies.
Judges are also human beings and understandably they cannot detach themselves from what is happening around them but are not expected to be influenced by politically motivated propaganda to advance self-centred interests.
Manipulation of social media by these vested interests notwithstanding, the fact remains an overwhelming majority of the people of this country firmly believe that it was because of the constitutional role played recently by the apex court that a breakdown of the system was avoided.
Judicious verdicts and prompt moves made by the CJP and his fellow judges blocked the way of any supra-constitutional eventuality in the backdrop of scant respect for the Constitution and the law by those at the helm of affairs during the fateful night.
The court neither favoured nor harmed anyone but did what it was supposed to do to restore supremacy and respect for the Constitution.
The country was heading towards total chaos and credit goes to the judges of the Supreme Court for taking corrective measures while remaining strictly within the bounds of the Constitution.
Judges have a loyalty to the state and the system and not to individuals or parties and, therefore, they must continue to play their role as defenders of the Constitution.
