Constitution has empowered: judiciary to restrain parliament from exceeding limits: CJP

Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar has said protection of human rights is responsibility of judiciary, adding Supreme Court always stood impartial on the national issues in the country. He was addressing the SAARCLAW Conference to mark its 25th Anniversary here at a local hotel on Saturday.
Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar said the SAARC presents an ideal forum in which the regional states can come together to not only envision but also introduce a strong culture of timely and efficient dispensation of justice. Justice Saqib said he believed in the principles of freedom and justice and that together we can all breed a spirit of co-operation and fraternity.
He also emphasised on a meaningful co-operation between Member states stemming from their historical and cultures sides. He said that judiciary and parliament are the pillars of the state. "Constitution of Pakistan has empowered judiciary to restrain parliament from exceeding its constitution limits," he added.
Referring to a suo motu notice taken only recently by the Supreme Court about the plight of a girl child Taiyaba, the chief justice said It is incumbent upon judiciary to protect the basic rights of people in general.
He on the occasion also emphasised the provision of affordable and expeditious access to justice to those seeking the same through courts. He said judiciary should avoid delay in dispensing justice to people. He said use of technology has become crucial to decide cases. The Chief Justice of Pakistan said members of bar and bench need to be equally cognizant of their responsibilities towards the marginalized sections of society.
"SAARC has been most successful when it comes to people-to-people co-operation and SAARCLAW is a testament of such co-operation where judges, lawyers, legal academics and law students come under one roof to share experiences and expertise," he elaborated.
Social justice, he said, needs to be extended due importance and must not be compromised at any level. The Chief Justice of Pakistan also paid glowing tributes to Justice Nasim Hasan Shah and said many of his decisions are a source of guidance for his juniors.
The Chief Justice of Sri Lanka, Mr Justice K. Sripavan emphasised the need for legislations that may directly benefit the masses and all those approaching the courts in the quest of justice.
"SAARC countries must make concerted efforts in this regard," he said and agreed with his counterpart from Pakistan that both bar and bench must play their role for the cause. Justice K. Sripavan said supremacy of law a prerequisite for the prosperity and healthy growth of any society.
The conference that commenced with the Justice Nasim Hasan Shah Memorial Lecture was also addressed by Justice Asif Saeed Khosa of Supreme Court of Pakistan, Barrister Mehmood Mandviwala, President, SAARCLAW and other senior members of legal community from the region.
Senior Advocate, Supreme Court of India, Mr. K.K. Venugopal, the key note speaker made his presentation "Poverty - An Alarming Violation of Human Rights." The senior lawyer emphasised that the test of progress for any country is not if it has added to the abundance of those who already have much but whether the country could provide to those who have too little.