August 06, 2008	Wednesday	Sha’aban 3, 1429

ISLAMABAD, Aug 5: Law Minister Farooq H. Naek said on Tuesday that judges of high courts were required to be administered oath by the respective chief justices and the chief justices of high courts by the governors.

However, he did not say who should administer the oath to the Chief Justice of Pakistan.

“I have given the statement in a general term and do not want to pinpoint anyone,” the minister told Dawn when asked what procedure would be followed for deposed Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry if he accepted the government’s offer for a fresh oath.

“If at all Justice Iftikhar decides to take oath, his oath will be administered in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution,” Mr Naek said.

Article 178 of the Constitution dealing with the oath of judges states: “Before entering upon the office, the Chief Justice of Pakistan shall make before the President, any other judge of the Supreme Court shall make before the Chief Justice, oath in the form set out in the Third Schedule.”

In reply to a question about a reported statement of Sardar Mohammad Latif Khosa that judges would have to be sworn in by the president after their appointment, the minister said that such statements were meant to misguide people and spoil the reconciliatory process initiated by the government.

He said the government was making ‘serious efforts’ to resolve the issue of judges in accordance with the law and Constitution.

On Monday, Mr Naek had extended a fresh offer to the deposed judges to take oath under the Third Schedule of the Constitution. He said political rallies and demonstrations would not solve the problem.

“If they want to do politics, demonstrations are the right option, but if they want to serve people and do justice the only viable option is to follow the Constitution,” the minister told reporters outside the Zardari House.