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Tuesday March 19, 2024

SC orders cutting supplies to Faizabad sit-in

By Sohail Khan
November 24, 2017

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court (SC) on Thursday ordered to cut the supply line of Faizabad sit-in, rejecting the reports submitted by the Intelligence Bureau (IB) and Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) pertaining to the protest by religious parties.

The court sought a detailed and comprehensive report from the IB and ISI and also directed the authorities concerned to inform it as to who is funding the sit-in that has paralyzed the daily life of the people of twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad

A two-member bench of the apex court, comprising Justice Mushir Alam and Justice Qazi Faiz Isa, while hearing the instant case of the Islamabad sit-in, directed that representatives of IB and ISI submit a detailed report on the next date of hearing and adjourned the matter for next Thursday.

The court the other day took notice of the sit-in and had issued notices to secretaries defence, interior, and advocate general Punjab. It had also directed the Attorney General of Pakistan to file comments of ministries of defence and interior, intelligence agencies under their respective ministries including the IB and ISI and to submit what, if any, measures had been taken to ensure that the constitutional rights of the citizens of Pakistan are protected in accordance with law.

The protesters belonging to religious parties — Tehreek-i-Khatm-i-Nabuwwat, Tehreek-i-Labaik Pakistan (TLP) and the Sunni Tehreek Pakistan (ST) —are calling for the sacking of Law Minister Zahid Hamid and strict action against those behind the amendment to the Khatm-i-Nabuwwat oath in the Elections Act 2017. The amendment had earlier been deemed a ‘clerical error’ and has already been rectified.

The protesters had occupied the Faizabad Bridge which connects Rawalpindi and Islamabad through the Islamabad Expressway and Murree Road, both of which are the busiest roads in the twin cities.

On Thursday, the court during the course of proceedings, observed that under Article 5 of the Constitution, loyalty to the state is the basic duty of every citizen; hence, any citizen who does not obey the Constitution should leave the country. The court observed that when the state remains no more, there will be killings on the roads.

The court noted that according to the report submitted by the Punjab government, the provincial government was well aware of the whole situation. The court questioned as to why the provincial government did not take serious measures to control it. He said instead of the government, writ of an individual was being established.

Justice Qazi Faez Isa questioned as to whether the government had any serious plan for tackling this serious issue. The authorities concerned will have to inform the court as to who is funding the sit-in and if there is any indication of foreign involvement in the matter.

Attorney General Ashter Ausaf told the court that a headway is most probably expected today (Friday), saying the government is handling the matter with caution as they don’t want any bloodshed in the sacred month of Rabiul Awwal. He further submitted that there is a risk of confrontation if action is taken against the protesters, as some of them are also armed. Justice Mushir Alam questioned if an enemy of the state tomorrow chooses to get control of streets of the federal capital, will the government opt for negotiations with them?

The judge asked the learned attorney general as to whether he went through the report, saying there was nothing new in it. Justice Qazi Faiz Isa questioned where the role of the agencies was and why they were silent on this glaring issue adding that if there was anything confidential, then “give us in an envelope”.

He further asked the learned attorney general who was feeding the leaders of the Islamabad sit-in and who was funding them. “Whether they came from outside”, Justice Isa asked saying as to whether the ISI does not know the situation, adding that the media can give a better report in this regard.

The attorney general submitted that he could submit the details relating to the sit-in but in chamber, to which Justice Qazi Faiz Isa asked the learned attorney general to provide it in an envelope if it was confidential.

The Advocate General Punjab told the court that the authorities had arrested 169 people and filed 18 cases adding that one minor lost his life due to the blockade of roads. Later, the court adjourned the hearing till next Thursday.