ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Atta Bandial asserted that the constitution and the people will be defended, and any unconstitutional action by the army will be halted.
During a session at the Supreme Court, a 6-member larger bench, headed by Chief Justice Umar Atta Bandial, addressed petitions regarding the trial of civilians in military courts. Chief Justice Bandial acknowledged the serious incidents on May 9, including the breach of a wall in Mianwali and attacks on military installations. He commended the army for not resorting to violence against civilians, expressing his strong desire that the Pakistan Army never employs such measures.
Chief Justice Umar Atta Bandial further emphasized that he would never wish for the Pakistan Army to use force against civilians. He underlined that the army’s primary role is to defend the people and the country.
Reiterating his stance, the Chief Justice asserted that they would defend the constitution and the people, preventing any unconstitutional acts by the armed forces and ensuring they do not engage in unlawful activities.
Responding to the Chief Justice’s remarks, the Attorney General reaffirmed the assurances given to the court by the top leadership of the army. He assured that the commitments made to the court would be honored, emphasizing that there is no room to compromise the constitution and the rule of law.
During the hearing, lawyer Latif Khosa made an earnest plea to the court, urging a prompt decision on the case within the week.
Acknowledging the request, Chief Justice Bandial revealed that one of his colleagues would be on a month-long leave due to unavoidable personal reasons. Despite the challenging times the country and the court are facing, Chief Justice Bandial expressed his dedication, stating that he sits in the court till 11:00 daily and that some judges on the bench have not taken any days off during the judicial vacation.
(Islamabad51-Newsdesk)
