Citation of judicial precedents ruined country: CJP

ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faiz Isa on Monday, while giving remarks regarding the repeated imposition of martial law in the country, observed that the precedents of judicial decisions have devastated the country.

The CJP, while heading a three-member bench hearing a case, observed that at times the judiciary validated martial law, asking whether judges were not bound by the Constitution. “Where do the judges get the authority to endorse unconstitutional measures,” the CJP questioned.

He observed that courts decisions are cited there is ambiguity in the Constitution or the law, adding the courts cannot pronounce decisions going beyond the Constitution and the law. He said apparently it’s time classes were conducted classes for judges. He asked whether the requirements of the Constitution and law cease to exist after one becomes a judge.

He said that lawyers had become allergic to the book of the Constitution, adding that lawyers no longer bring the book of the Constitution with them to the court. “It is said that the revision request has been filed early,” Justice Isa remarked, adding that it is also said as to why two and a half years old review pleas had been fixed for hearing.