Lahore: On Sunday, Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial said that if the Consitution of country directs to hold elections in a period of 90 days after the dissolution of assemblies, then the apex court would have to implement the ruling. He explained that implementing the constitution is a duty and not a choice. CJP Umar Ata Bandial expressed his views while talking to the media in a conference organised in honour of the late CJP AR Cornelius in Lahore.
CJP Umar Ata Bandial stated that the court was informed that political leadership held negotiations for single-day elections across Pakistan, but the SC had no connection with the development. He added that judges are present to support the political parties, and in any other case, the April 4 decision of SC stands firm.
Rights of Minorities in the Constitution of Pakistan
While talking about the contributions of fourth CJP of Pakistan, AR Cornelius, CJP Umar Ata Bandial recalled that Justice Cornelius opposed the dissolution of constituent assembly by the governor-general. He further added that the Consitution guarantees rights & freedom of minorities.
CJP paid tribute to Justice Cornelius by calling him the epitome of justice. He pointed out that Justice Cornelius gained education from top institutions of the world and chose to work for law & justice even though he could have opted for civil services. Umar Ata Bandial added that Justice Cornelius led a simple life, setting an example for other judges.
Former CJP Tassaduq Hussain Jillani also expressed his views and said that system of the country should run on principles of equality & basis of democratic values.
