Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed on Thursday said the objective of the July uprising was not to abolish the Constitution, but to purify it by ensuring a transparent and accountable relationship between the Constitution and the judiciary.

Making the remarks on his last working day at the Appellate Division ahead of retirement, the Chief Justice said as long as judicial values remain intact in a democracy, the Supreme Court will continue to serve as the final refuge for justice and freedom.

He emphasised that the judiciary must adhere to the basic structure doctrine of the existing Constitution, which encompasses the separation of powers, judicial independence, democratic governance, fundamental rights and the sovereignty of the people.

“The strength of the judiciary does not lie in any single institution; rather, it rests in the collective commitment to deliver justice with integrity and foresight,” he said.

On the occasion of his final working day, farewell receptions were accorded to the Chief Justice at the Appellate Division by the Attorney General’s Office and the Supreme Court Bar Association.

Judges of the Supreme Court and High Court Division, tribunal judges, lawyers and officials of the Supreme Court Secretariat were present at the programme.

The country’s 25th Chief Justice, Syed Refaat Ahmed, is scheduled to retire on December 27. However, as the Supreme Court will remain closed for vacation at that time, Thursday marked his last official working day.