Only democracy will remain in country: CJP

LAHORE: Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar has said he and his fellow judges will step down if democracy is attacked. Addressing a ceremony here at the Aiwan-e-Iqbal on Saturday, the CJP said only democracy would remain in the country.

The CJP said he was astonished to see media persons talking about martial law. Who would impose martial law, he questioned.

He said: "There is no idea of judicial martial law in in the Constitution. We will not do any thing beyond the Constitution". He added that the judiciary was independent and it would not come under any pressure.

"We will fight for the nation's rights and the day we feel that the country does not stand with us, we will leave our jobs," the chief justice stated.

He also emphasised the need of new legislation and more resources for swift disposal of cases, saying that outdated laws could not serve the needs of the present era.

The chief justice criticised the condition of education and health and said that these were fundamental rights which should be provided to the citizens according to the Constitution.