Protection of people is fundamental right in Constitution: Gulzar Ahmed

ISLAMABAD (92 News) – Incoming Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Justice Gulzar Ahmed has said that the protection of the people is fundamental right in the Constitution. Addressing a full court reference in honour of his predecessor Justice Asif Saeed Khosa, Justice Gulzar Ahmed said that the Constitution has outlined the roles of the legislature, courts and government. “The fundamental rights mentioned in the Constitution are for the protection of the people,” he added. The incoming CJP said that the state will have to pay special attention to civil infrastructure. “We will have to deal with those involved in corruption strictly,” he said.  He also said they will have to rid each institution in the country of corruption. Corruption is the biggest stumbling block in our country’s progress, he said. Justice Gulzar Ahmed will take oath on Saturday as the 27th chief justice of Pakistan. His predecessor’s tenure ended on Friday. Earlier in the day, outgoing Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Asif Saeed Khosa termed that the media misrepresented his stance on former president Pervez Musharraf case verdict. While addressing full court reference, CJP Khosa said that the impression was given on media that he supported the verdict of Musharraf. “The allegations of influencing the Musharraf case against him are false and baseless,” he added. The chief justice said that he had not supported the special court verdict of Musharraf’s treason case. This is the worst conspiracy to defame the courts and him. Media misrepresented my stance on this issue. The truth will be exposed soon,” he added. Additional Attorney General had accused me of affecting the treason case but, these allegations are baseless and incorrect, CJP Khosa said. Being chief justice, I tried to set my house in order first, he said. I stressed on the system of justice and judicial reforms, he said. The video link system was set up, as was a modern research centre, he said, adding that cases that had been pending in the Supreme Court for 25 years were disposed of.