The idea of dictatorship is a thing of past: CJ

Monday May 07, 2007 (0601 PST)

LAHORE: Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry addresses the Lahore High Court Bar. Email Most Popular Print Add to Favorite Related Links Aitzaz terms SC verdict success of nation PM accepts SC decision on CJP, seeks same response from nation CJP reinstated, Presidential reference declared illegal, ultra vires of constitution Lawyers delegations from Sindh, Balochistan meet CJ CJP was suspended worse, even than a civil judge could have been: SC More Related News >>  Pictorial ,  No of Pictures: 19  Speak Out Karachi Massacre  Opinion Poll Open Question: "What would be out come of the current judicial crises? Will the Chief Justice be restored?" Yes No Don`t Know Show Result

LAHORE: Chief justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry has said that the idea of dictatorship was a thing of the past and the nations that did not learn from the past get destroyed.

He was speaking at the Lahore High Court to thousands of lawyers, some judges of the Lahore High Court, and scores of opposition activists outside on the streets here Sunday. The Chief Justice spoke broadly on human rights and role of the Supreme Court.

Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry arrived in Lahore on Sunday morning after traveling for 25 hours. He was accorded warm welcome throughout on his way by the lawyers and opposition political parties. The trip normally takes four hours but it took 25 hours due to the heavy presence of well-wishers of the CJ in different cities of Punjab.

He said, "Nations and states which are based on dictatorship instead of the supremacy of the constitution, the rule of law and protection of basic rights get destroyed," Chaudhry said.

"The idea of dictatorship and collective responsibility is over," he said. "They are chapters from the past and those nations which don't learn lessons from the past and repeat the mistakes, they have to pay a price."

"Basic human rights are a backbone in the formation of a civilized society," said Chaudhry, who added that he had never been involved in politics.

Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry said that the articles 3 and 4 could not be suspended even during emergency. He said the human rights had a key position in the constitution, which in fact had the status of a backbone in any civilized society and the human rights and freedom were independent.

Chief Justice said, ?We understand the law and practice it. Some of our judgments put us in a trying situation.?

About the arrested lawyers, the Chief Justice hoped that the courts would be doing justice with them. Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry thanked the media for giving a running coverage to the rally and told that if the media would have not given support, then such a massive gathering could not have been held. He also thanked the judges and the lawyers present in the reception.

As a chief justice, he said, he had taken several suo motu actions on letters and applications dispatched by people and the burden of work did not came in his way in dispensation of justice.

The chief justice said that Sardars, Wadera and bureaucrats, all were equal in front of law and no one was above law. He said there were two sections in the country; one that considers itself above law and the other does know the ABC of the law.

?I have decided 6000 cases of human rights out of 12000 since I took charge as the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court,? he added.

Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Ch in his address said that under article 3, basic human rights were covered while under the article 4, every citizen has the right to get justice.