Chief Justice of Pakistan Gulzar Ahmed on Saturday said that “no one has interfered in my work I have made my decisions according to my understanding and as per the Constitution and law.”

Addressing an event in Lahore held in memory of the late human rights activist and trailblazing lawyer Asma Jahangir, the chief justice made it clear that allegations that the judiciary was being influenced by powerful quarters do not sit well with him. 

Responding to a speech by veteran lawyer Ali Ahmed Kurd, in which Kurd had accused the courts of not working independently, the top judge lashed back: "I have never [taken dictation from] any institution and have never been under pressure from anyone."

"No one has ever told me what judgment I need to hand down and no one has dared to dictate me on my orders," the country's top judge said.

"No matter how many cases have come before me, I have never made a decision at the behest of anyone," he said.

All the judges of the Supreme Court are working very hard and diligently, putting in extra time and effort for dispensation of justice, the rule of law and the Constitution, the prosperity of our democratic nation, and for the supremacy of justice, CJP Gulzar said.

He noted that judges of the Islamabad, Peshawar, Lahore, Sindh, and Balochistan High Courts are all diligently administering justice.

"When decisions are handed down, some people say they are right and some say they are wrong. These are the people's opinions and they have the right to hold them. Everyone has their own opinion and perspective, and it must be respected."

"This is the beauty of the judiciary and democracy and we will follow it,” he said. "Nobody can dare stop us."

However, differences of opinion do not allow any party to accuse the courts of being under pressure, the country's top judge underlined. 

“Our court is free to take decisions and it does what it wants freely. Our court hears each party to a case and holds them accountable," he added.

"Do not misguide the people, do not spread chaos, do not shake people’s trust in the [state's] institutions," he continued in his sharp rebuke. 

“There is a rule of law in Pakistan, not some individuals. We will continue to work the way we have been.