CJP vows to defend constitution, people

Islamabad: Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Atta Bandial Thursday said: “We will defend the constitution, people and will stop the army from any unconstitutional action”.

According to details, a six-member larger bench headed by Chief Justice Umar Atta Bandial heard the petitions against the trial of civilians in the military courts.

Chief Justice said that on May 09, very serious incidents took place. The military installations were attacked by breaching the wall in Mianwali.

He appreciated Pakistan army for not opening fire at civilians, saying, “I would never want Pakistan Army to open fire at civilians”.

Umar Atta Bandial stated that when Aitzaz Ahsan said why the protesters were not shot, I felt very sad. Pakistan Army is for the defense of the people and the country.

The Chief Justice in his remarks added that we will defend the Constitution and the people, restrain the army from any unconstitutional action and will not allow the armed forces to do illegal action.

On the remarks of Chief Justice, the Attorney General of Pakistan (AGP) Mansoor Usman Awan took the position that the assurances given to the court regarding the trial by the top leadership of army will be fulfilled. There is no attempt to overturn the constitution and the law.

During the hearing, lawyer Latif Khosa requested the court to finalize the case this week.

On the request of Latif Khosa, Chief Justice said in his remarks that a colleague has to go on leave for a month based on his unavoidable personal reasons. He added: “We know that country and this court are going through difficult times, as far as I am concerned, I sit till 8:00pm”.

There is a judicial vacation and some judges of the bench have not taken a single day off. Technically judicial leave is for three months however we had decided to take one month leave only, he said.