Nobody is above the law, says Chief Justice

ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry on Wednesday said that no body was above the Constitution as any kind of pressure could not hinder upholding rule of law.

The three-member bench comprising the Chief Justice, Justice Gulzar Ahmed and Justice Sheikh Azmat Saeed, resumed hearing of the pending issue of grant of mining lease over exploration of gold and
copper reserves in the Reko Diq area of Chaghi district of Balochistan.

At the outset of the hearing, Khalid Anwar, counsel for Tethyan Copper Company (TCC), said that the Balochistan government, if did not agree with the amendment in the licence, should inform the court in the written form.

The Chief Justice remarked that only those agreements were acceptable, which were valid according to the Constitution of Pakistan.

He observed that the governments had to fulfill legal requirements despite trade agreements with foreign companies.

Khalid Anwar pleaded that non-fulfillment of international trade agreements should not be made on the pretext of legal formalities.

The Chief Justice remarked that trade agreements were not above
the law of country.

Khalid Anwar said that the contract of Reko Diq was awarded to TCC by fulfilling all legal requirements.

He said that the TCC contacted the International Arbitrary Court for not getting legal rights under the agreement.

The Chief Justice that foreign investment was fully protected in the country, but relaxation in rules and regulations, violating the law of the land, could not be granted.

Justice Azmat Saeed remarked that mining licences could only be granted under the mining laws.

The bench adjourned the hearing by advising the counsel for TCC to conclude his arguments on Thursday. (APP)