The ruling Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) has abruptly announced ending a sit-in staged outside the Supreme Court to protest against the judiciary for "facilitating" Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan.
The announcement was made by JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman while addressing the participants of the sit-in outside the apex court in Islamabad on Monday.
The multi-party protesters, including workers and supporters of the JUI-F, from different areas of the country converged on Islamabad with many making an entrance into the Red Zone, despite Section 144 still in effect the capital city.
Maulana Fazl, on Friday announced to stage the sit-in outside the Supreme Court against Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial for facilitating Khan.
Despite the federal government’s request to change the venue of the sit-in amid security concerns, the PDM — a multi-party ruling alliance — chief had refused to budge on his decision and organised protest demonstration of thousands of workers outside the top court.
The ruling PDM leaders — including Pakistan Muslim league Nawaz (PML-N) Senior Vice President Maryam Nawaz — were also present at the venue of the sit-in.
Addressing the protesters earlier today, Fazl said the ruling PDM wanted to restore the honour and dignity of the top court.
The “historic gathering” outside the Supreme Court reflected that the country’s decisions should be made by the people, he added.
He also vowed to protect the Supreme Court building saying no one can dare to cause harm to the top court in the presence of the PDM's protesters.
Addressing the sit-in, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Senior Vice President Maryam Nawaz held the judiciary responsible for all the country’s woes, saying the decisions of some judges are responsible for “destruction and the prevailing chaos”.
Maryam said the ruling PDM did not want to stage a sit-in outside the Supreme Court as they respect the Constitution and judges.
“[The] country’s progress and destruction linked to this building. The decisions of the judiciary are responsible for the destruction of the country,” she added.
She also clarified that her criticism was not aimed at the judges but at those elements in the apex court “facilitating” PTI chief Khan.
Addressing Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial, Maryam said: “Are you happy to see this sea of people or not?”
Referring to the recent violent protests following Khan’s arrest, Maryam said it was the responsibility of the judiciary to hold accountable those elements spreading chaos and anarchy in the country.
The ruling party lamented that elected prime ministers were sent packing by the judiciary in the past and the supremacy of the parliament was not respected.
Besides Khan, Maryam said the chief justice is also responsible for the anarchy that has engulfed the entire country.
Maryam said at a time when the military was not ready to impose martial law and stand with democracy, judicial martial law had been imposed in the country.
She said trained rioters not people took to the streets to protest against the arrest of Khan in the Al-Qadir Trust case last week.
The Islamabad police advised the citizens to avoid Red Zone area as protesters are present there and assured that the situation is still peaceful.
“Citizens should keep an eye on their surroundings and report any suspicious activity to 15 immediately,” the capital police said on Twitter handle.
PDM leadership including its chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman and PML-N Senior Vice-President Maryam Nawaz have reached the sit-in venue and have stepped onto the stage.
Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Interior and Legal Affairs Attaullah Tarar also reached Shahrah-e-Dastoor earlier.
PTI chief, taking to Twitter, reacted to the PDM sit-in terming the protesters "goons" who are "being facilitated by our security agencies to take over the SC and subvert the constitution".
Khan has asked all citizens to be ready for "peaceful protests", sharing fears regarding the "end of Pak dream" once the Constitution and SC are destroyed.
Earlier, Fazl rejected the government's request to shift the sit-in venue from the Supreme Court.
With Section 144 imposed in the federal capital, the Islamabad police have urged protestors to remain peaceful warning them about threats of terrorism.
Protestors in Gilgit Baltistan blocked the main intersection inside the district headquarter in Astor while protesting at the Eidgah Ali Murtaza on JUI-F chief's call.
Convoy of protestors from Rawalpindi, Kohat, Peshawar, Dera Ismail Khan, and Malakand joined the protest in the federal capital.
From Rawalpindi, PML-N's convoy was led by Haneef Abbasi and Sardar Naseem and entered Islamabad’s Faizabad via Rawalpindi’s Murree Road.
Meanwhile, the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) also announced to join the sit-in.
The development was shared by Chaudhry Shafay Hussain, PML-Q politician and son of party supremo Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, who said their convoy has reached Islamabad to participate in the protest outside the apex court.
The Islamabad Police warned protesters about "threats of terrorism" after their entry in the Red Zone and had earlier asked citizens to cooperate and remain calm.
However, the situation, police said, was peaceful.
The police sources told Geo News that the stage for the sit-in will be set up at a distance from the Supreme Court.
“There is no objection if the stage is set up in front of the Election Commission of Pakistan and Prime Minster House,” the police sources said.
It added that its strategy is against placing the stage right in front of the SC.
According to the district administration, protesters entered into the Red Zone via the Serena intersection and pushed away the police and administration.
“Protesters were informed about the government’s orders on behalf of the administration,” the administration said.
Local administration and police have informed the interior ministry regarding the situation of the protest. “The district administration had decided to allow the PDM to protest, but subject to the approval of the interior ministry.”