KARACHI: Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Saqib Nisar on Saturday hit back at critics who targeted him after his visit to government hospital in Lahore earlier this week.
During the course of hearing a case pertaining to drinking water, the judge said his visit to the medical facility was in accordance with the Constitution of Pakistan.
He said it was incumbent upon the judiciary to ensure protection of human lives.
"I want to categorically state that i have no interest in becoming a leader.
"Anybody who wants to criticize me can do so. My visit was aimed at saving human lives. There was no facility of ventilators in the Meo Hospital," Geo TV reporter quoted the top judge as saying.
The chief justice further said that protection of basic human rights is judiciary's responsibility under the Constitution.
The chief justice drew strong criticism from political parties following his visit to the hospital just days after a bench he was heading disqualified Jahangir Khan Tarin, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Secretary General, as member of the National Assembly and spared PTI chairman Imran Khan in a disqualification case filed by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz leader Hanfi Abbasi.
Several passengers travelling to Saudi Arabia found carrying incomplete documents, say officials
Zardari says Bhutto was architect of Pakistan's nuclear programme, which has proven to be pivotal in country's defence
President and PM reaffirm govt's resolve to continue extending full political and diplomatic support to Kashmiris
KP govt says local residents are accountable for Bagan attack and that they had violated peace agreement
Groups involved have an ongoing dispute over commercial plaza, says CCPO
President Zardari, PM Shehbaz condemn blast; sources say outlawed BLA claimed responsibility for attack
