Supreme Court of Pakistan. — Photo by AP

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Monday heard petitions challenging the 18th Amendment.

A 17-judge full court heard the petitions challenging certain clauses in the amendment.

During the hearing, Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry said opening the Objectives Resolution’s Pandora’s box was not necessary.

He further said that the Supreme Court has made obvious the constitution's fundamental features through its decisions.

“The constitution represents 180 million people of Pakistan…any legislation in conflict with the constitution cannot be a law,” Chief Justice Iftikhar said.

Judiciary is neither a part of the government, nor is it the government’s subordinate, he said.

During the hearing, Justice Javed Iqbal said the court reserved the right to review any law under the constitution.

Moreover, Justice Khalilur Rahman Ramday said that wherever the judges tried to raise their heads, they were immediately showered with hammers. The hearing in the case was adjourned till Tuesday.

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