Violators of SC Nov 3 order to be punished

He said a Supreme Court bench on November 3 passed an order against PCO and the Emergency, restraining president and others from appointing new chief justice. The order was got implemented from authorities concerned. Therefore those who took oath under PCO violated SC' verdict and are liable to be prosecuted.

The country's survival rests in upholding the rule of law and supremacy of the Constitution. The people of this county will have to decide whether they want a tamed judiciary or independent one. If the people want independent judiciary they would have to raise their voice against PCO judges. He said November 2 judges could only protect people's lives and properties.

The CJP said he was blamed for interfering in the Executive's powers by using suo moto action, asserting that he was working within the constitutional parameters. He, however, questioned as to what was the fault of LHC, SHC and PHC judges? They did not take suo moto action, then why were they too removed?

He lauded the role of deposed judges, saying that they had become heroes and soon they would be rewarded for the sacrifices they had rendered to establish the rule of law.

The CJP said the people had started taking law into their hands by burning alive the outlaws; and our currency had devalued, that showed lack of trust in the present judiciary.

The CJP said it was not correct to use words 'deposed' or 'removed' for those judges who did not take oath under PCO because they were only restrained from performing their constitutional duty.