ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court (SC) on Thursday ordered to cut supply line of Faizabad sit-in, rejecting the reports submitted by the Intelligence Bureau (IB) and the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) pertaining to the protest by religious parties. The court sough a detailed and comprehensive report from IB and the IS1 and also directed the authorities concerned to inform it as to who is finding 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 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 Defense, Interior, and Advocate General Punjab. It had also directed the Attorney General of Pakistan to file comments of Ministries of Defense and Interior, the intelligence agencies under their respective ministries including the IB and ISI and to submit what, if any, measures have been taken to ensure that the constitutional rights of the citizen of Pakistan are protected in accordance with law. The protestors belonging to religious parties — Tehreek-i-Khatm-i-Nabuwat, 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-Nabuwat 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 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 is being established. Justice Qazi Faez Isa questioned as to whether the government has 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 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 the of Rabul Awal. 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 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 is the role of agencies and why they are silent on this glaring issue adding that if there is anything confidential then “give us in envelop”. He further asked the learned Attorney General who are feeding the leaders of Islamabad sit-in and who are 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 better report in this regard. Attorney General submitted that he can submit the details relating to sit-in but in Chamber, to which Justice Qazi Faiz Isa asked the learned Attorney General to provide it in envelop if it is confidential. Advocate General Punjab told the court that the authorities have arrested 169 people and filed 18 cases adding that one minor lost his life due to blockade of roads. Later, the court adjourned the hearing until next Thursday.
