Former CJP Saqib Nisar says freedom of expression is essential for the rule of law to prevail
Police officers walk past the Supreme Court of Pakistan building, in Islamabad, Pakistan April 6, 2022. REUTERS
LAHORE:
Former Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar said that without democracy there can be no constitution and without constitution no state can survive in the world.
“The Shura system also has its origins in Islamic teachings. Democracy itself is rooted in Shura,” Nisar said at a book launch on Wednesday.
Referring to the parliamentary system, he said all stakeholders agree on democracy as the fundamental structure. He stressed that the real test of judges takes place in a democratic system.
He said the responsibility of protecting fundamental rights lies with the judges of the high courts and the Supreme Court, who have taken an oath to uphold the supremacy of the Constitution.
He said that laws appeared at the time of the birth of humanity and that both the law and its implementation carry certain requirements. He noted that even God granted Satan the right to be heard. He said safeguarding fundamental rights from cradle to grave is the responsibility of the state.
Recalling his visits to hospitals, he noticed that he had not found anyone working properly. He questioned the value of life if the facilities built at the cost of billions of rupees remain unusable.
Nisar emphasized that it is the rule of law that organizes and sustains the system. He invited everyone to read article 7 of the Constitution, which clearly defines this obligation.
He questioned whether the rule of law really exists in Pakistan, warning that without it, everything would be meaningless. He said freedom of expression is essential to maintaining the rule of law.
Quoting the saying of the Holy Prophet (PBUH), he said that one should call evil by its name, or at least consider it evil in one’s heart.
