ISLAMABAD, March 17: The ‘non-functional’ Chief Justice of Pakistan, Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry has said that he will not resign and fight the legal battle for the rule of law and supremacy of the Constitution.

He expressed these views in separate meetings with lawyers and politicians who called on him at his residence here on Saturday.

Those who met him included secretary-general of Rawalpindi High Court Bar Association Saeed Yousaf Khan, joint secretary Malik Shafiq Ahmad and Punjab Bar Council member Rana Shakoor.

“There is no question of resignation. I would have resigned during the five-hour stay at the Army House had I to give in,” sources privy to the meeting quoted the chief justice as saying.

Justice Chaudhry said he had no fear and was fully satisfied with the trust and support extended to him by people from different sections of the population.

“Those who believe in Allah are not afraid of anything,” he said while appreciating the struggle being waged by lawyers, journalists, politicians and people in general for the independence of judiciary.

“I wish I could go to each and every citizen to meet and thank him for his support and enthusiasm for restoration of the supremacy of judiciary. I saw young and old people, even including women, showing their sympathies. I have no words how to thank them,” said Justice Chaudhry.

He told the visiting lawyers to extend, on his behalf, thanks to people, especially lawyers and journalists for their unflinching support.

“This is a battle for the supremacy of the constitution and rule of law in the country that you are waging,” he told them.

He made special mention of Islamabad District Bar Association president Advocate Haroon Rashid who sustained critical injuries in police action on Friday. He wished he could go to the hospital to inquire about his health.

The ‘non-functional’ chief justice asked the visiting lawyers to convey his good wishes and prayers to Haroon Rashid.

He wished the joint struggle of lawyers, journalists and politicians bore fruits, and supremacy of the constitution and judiciary was restored.

It is learnt that president of Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal (MMA) Qazi Hussain Ahmad and secretary-general Maulana Fazlur Rehman also met the Justice Chaudhry.

There are still restrictions on visits to the chief justice. Many politicians and other people were not allowed to meet him on Saturday, belying the government claim that Justice Chaudhry was free to meet anyone.