LAHORE, Nov 30: Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry said on Saturday the judiciary had played an exemplary role for supremacy of the Constitution and ensured that all public power had to be exercised within the framework of the Constitution.

The chief justice was speaking at a ceremony for inauguration of phase-II of renovation of Supreme Court’s Lahore registry. Sitting judges of the apex court, Lahore High Court, former judges and senior lawyers were present on the occasion.

Justice Chaudhry said the right to have access to justice was established and recognised as a fundamental right and provision of expeditious justice was command of the Constitution.

The chief justice reaffirmed the judiciary’s unwavering commitment to the supremacy of the Constitution and the rule of law.

He said in a country (Pakistan) which comprises various ethnic, racial and linguistic groups, the courts had come to rescue the downtrodden and helpless members of society. The courts had been giving an equal and impartial hearing to all, he added.

Justice Chaudhry said Pakistani courts had attended with appropriate dignity and seriousness to many controversial questions, earning a universal respect for its fully reasoned judgments which in return won back the respect of the people.

Discussing the renovation of the Lahore registry, he said the building had been redefined and einvigorated.

He said, “This building sends a message of things we value as a society and all of us are privileged to enjoy it and at the same time obligated to treasure it.” — Staff Reporter