LAHORE: Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Saqib Nisar says denial of basic human rights to the citizens is causing problems in society.

“Judiciary is bound to protect the basic human rights of the citizens,” he said in his keynote speech at the launching ceremony of the second edition of the book ‘Judicial Review of Public Action’ written by retired justice Fazal Kareem at GOR-I Officers Mess on Sunday.

Justice Nisar said that if the citizens were not getting justice and basic human rights, it was the duty of the CJP to ensure provision of the same to them. “Protection of basic human rights is the responsibility of the judiciary. Judiciary is bound to protect the basic human rights under the Constitution,” he said.

The CJP said that unfortunately the literacy rate in the country had been very low and that’s why citizens were unaware of their basic human rights. “After awareness, the people would themselves get their rights. And in case of any antagonism on the part of the executive, the people will approach judiciary,” said the CJP.

“Ironically, conditions at the state institutions are pathetic. People have to bribe government officials to get their right. One has to pay a lot for getting a building plan approved from the Lahore Development Authority. People are not getting jobs on merit and the employed ones are fired without any justification. Except judiciary who else will come to the rescue of people? When judiciary redresses grievances of the people, it is labelled interference in the matters (of the executive). Judiciary will come to the rescue of the people in case of violations of their basic human rights,” said Justice Nisar.

Published in Dawn, March 19th, 2018