GEO 436 ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Iftikhar Muhammed Chaudhry said the change in the oath of judges would lead the country to have the continuity of the democracy in the country, wondering why such an amendment (18th Amendment) was brought, when the judiciary had already effected a change in judges' oath to stem the path of a dictator, Geo News reported Wednesday. The CJ Chaudhry said this while heading a SC's 17-member larger bench hearing various identical petitions filed against some articles contained in the 18th Amendment. He further said, 'Judiciary wants the stability of the democracy and we wish in the earnest that it was not harmed.' Justice Khalilur Rehman Ramday said in his remarks, 'Who will be held responsible if the system, for which the sacrifices were given, is committing suicide?' The verdict against the PCO judges has been made a part of the Constitution and the apex court said the same in its ruling, he remarked. Earlier, Akram Sheikh Advocate, counsel of a petitioner Nadeem Ahmed continued his arguments on the second day today. Sheikh said, 'The Constitutional Committee was not mandated to establish a commission concerning the judges' appointments. The judiciary is bound by law to have an eye on the federal and the provincial governments.' 'Eighteenth Amendment was not rendered in the regional languages.' Citing the example of Britain, Akram said the judiciary in that country was consulted when the law relating the judges' appointment was amended; however, the Law Commission was not approached for consultation, when the same was done in Pakistan. Akram added the Parliament approved the Amendment only in four minutes. The court demanded the Parliamentary record regarding 18th Amendment. Justice Saqib Nisar said, 'Article-174(A) has some good parts as well. If a five-member committee is formed, then how come the independence of judiciary would be affected.' Urging Akram Sheikh Advocate not to classify politicians into good or bad, Justice Asif Saeed said, 'Quaid-e-Azam who gave us country was a politician and it was politicians who presented 1973 Constitution.' The court will continue hearing the case tomorrow.
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