Islamabad, July 8 (ANI): Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry has said that the constitution, and not parliament, was the supreme entity in the country and Article 8 of the constitution empowered the Supreme Court to strike down any legislation, which encroaches upon the basic rights of the citizens.

According to the Daily Times, the chief justice, while addressing a lawyers' ceremony at the Supreme Court Karachi registry, referred to a misconception in the minds of people regarding supremacy of parliament and said that it was the constitution, which expressed and embodied the will of the people.

Iftikhar further said that the Supreme Court was fully empowered to strike down any law, which was in conflict with the constitution and emphasised that it was time, after 65 years of independence, that we free ourselves from the shackles of obsequious intellectual servility to colonial paradigms and start adhering to our constitution.

We should only examine our own constitution to ensure that the will of the people prevails, which is the very essence of a democratic system, he added.

Referring to Article 190 of the constitution, which binds all executive and judicial authorities throughout Pakistan to act in the aid of the Supreme Court, he emphasised on the need for an independent judiciary in the country and said that only a free and independent judiciary could ensure the will of the people being enforced in its true spirit.

The chief justice further said that law is equal for every citizen of the country irrespective of status and position and emphasised that the constitution was to be followed, preserved and protected at all costs. (ANI)