QUETTA, March 1 Balochistan High Court Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa has asked judges to strictly adhere to the Constitution and uphold rule of law to provide justice to people.

Speaking at the full court reference on Monday on the commencement of the judicial year 2010, the chief justice said Pakistan's survival lay in adhering to the Constitution.

Justice Isa said judges should decide cases in accordance with law, adding that the main obligation of the state was to ensure safety of citizens.

Referring to cases of missing persons, the chief justice said that courts' initiative of hearing such cases on a daily basis had resulted in return of many persons to their homes.

Regarding speedy disposal of case, he said there were 5,072 cases pending in the high court and 6,299 cases in subordinate courts.

However, he added, the number of such cases in the high court had now fallen below the four-digit figure.

Attorney General Mansoor Ahmed Khan emphasised that all institutions should play their role as determined in the Constitution, saying the primary function of the judiciary was to uphold the rule of law.

Judges of the high and lower courts, advocate general of Balochistan and lawyers attended the reference.