Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammed Chaudhry during hearing of petitions regarding appointment of the adhoc judges in the Supreme Court of Pakistan has remarked that the courts are responsible for protecting the martial law. A 14-member bench of the Supreme Court hearing the judges case on Monday. The Chief Justice said that from Moulvi Tameezuddin to Iqbal Tikka case what happened in the courts is a sad story. A prime minister was hanged and anther sent in exile, he said. The judiciary should have to strengthen itself for the continuation of democratic system, Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry added.