LAHORE: Chief Justice Tassaduq Hussain Jillani said on Saturday that the country faced a great threat from non-state actors who did not believe in the rule of law.

Speaking at a reception organised by the Supreme Court Bar Association in honour of Justice Umar Ata Bandial, who was recently elevated to the apex court, the chief justice said democracy was also facing several threats and early dispensation of justice and supremacy of law were critical for its continuity. He said that growing intolerance in society posed a big threat to democracy.

Stressing the need for swift justice, he said there was plenty to be done to restore public trust in the judiciary and the judicial system.

Justice Bandial said judges spoke through their decisions and could not reply to threats hurled at them or problems they faced. He said civilised societies always respected the law. He said good judgments could help control the crime ratio and instil the fear of conviction among criminals.

Published in Dawn, June 29th, 2014