Parliament cannot make law in conflict with Constitution: CJP

ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar Tuesday observed that the parliament was a supreme institution, but it could not make a law which could conflict with the Constitution.

The apex court held the right to review any legislation, he said while heading a three-member bench, which heard the Media Commission case.

The chief justice remarked that he had repeatedly stated that the parliament was a supreme institution but the Constitution was more supreme.

“In one of the cases, we didn’t give any remarks but only asked if a certain person was eligible to hold a public office,” he added.

The CJP asked as to how the court’s remarks could amount to an insult to parliamentarians. “I don’t want to give an impression that I am furnishing an explanation,” he said. “We need to be savvy of the administration’s measures and basic rights of people.”

He observed that the recommendations made in the Media Commission report and the promises made by the government remained unfulfilled. “We have to make PEMRA (Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority) an ideal and autonomous body,” he stressed.

The chief justice remarked that inexperienced persons were being appointed in institutions, though appointment of professionals was necessary to run them in a better way.

He observed that headlines were made when they even asked about something whereas they gave remarks to understand the stance of both parties.

He said, “We will fully utilise the powers of Constitution and law.”

The chief justice also asked the media persons not to report the remarks of apex court judges out of context.

Later, the case was adjourned for 10 days.