ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry on Monday said that the judges had taken oath to protect the constitution and national interests.

The chief justice was heading a three-member bench, with Justice Gulzar Ahmad and Justice Sh Azmat Saeed, as its members on pending issue of awarding license for Reko Diq mines.

During course of proceeding, Hafeez Pirzada, the counsel for BHP said this matter must be resolved as soon as possible because the delay in the case could place question mark on the credibility of the national institutions.

The chief justice responded that they would deal with the matter as per constitution and law and said they also desired to settle the case at earliest because it had already consumed their five weeks.

The counsel for BHP informed the court that there were no allegations or corruption against the company at any forum.

Hafeez Pirzada would continue his arguments on Tuesday.