Arrest, present Khadim Rizvi, others

ISLAMABAD: An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) on Monday directed the arrest of Tehreek-e-Labaik Pakistan (TLP) chief Khadim Hussain Rizvi, Afzal Qadri and other absconding suspects in the Faizabad sit-in case.

During the case proceedings, the judge directed that Rizvi and Qadri along with other absconding suspects be arrested and presented in the court on April 4, Geo News reported. On March 5, the ATC judge declared Rizvi, Qadri, Maulana Inayat and Sheikh Izhar as absconders for failing to appear before the court despite repeated summons.

The court also stated that if the accused were not produced in the court within the next 30 days, they would be declared proclaimed offenders.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court expressed dissatisfaction with a report submitted by the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) on the source of income of TLP chief Khadim Hussain Rizvi. Rizvi had last year paralysed the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad for over two weeks by staging a sit-in (dharna) at the Faizabad Bridge.

A two-member bench of the apex court, comprising Justice Mushir Alam and Justice Qazi Faez Isa, resumed the hearing of a suo motu case on Monday of the sit-in last year.

Rejecting the report, the court directed the Attorney General for Pakistan (AGP) to give his opinion (on the report) on the next date of hearing.

The hearing was adjourned for two weeks. “If this is the performance of the country’s premier intelligence agency, then I am so worried for the country,” Justice Qazi Faiz Isa remarked after Deputy Attorney General Sohail Mahmood submitted the ISI report to the court.

Justice Mushir Alam, who headed the bench, asked as to why the ISI had not mentioned the source of Rizvi’s income, bank accounts and whether he was a taxpayer or not. The court asked as to why the country’s premier intelligence agency had not mentioned in its report that Rizviwas sponging off others.

Justice Qazi Faiz Isa asked the deputy attorney general whether the office of attorney general was satisfied with the report. Sohail replied in the affirmative saying that the report was detailed and comprehensive.

Justice Isa, however, observed that the ISI even did not know the sources of income and bank accounts of Rizvi, adding that it was also not aware that the sit-in had destroyed public property worth billions of rupees.

“Tell us whether he is a school teacher or businessman and does he pay income tax?” Justice Isa asked the law officer. He said it took a long time to build this country after great sacrifices but unfortunately it was being destroyed.

The deputy attorney general, however, submitted that Rizvi was reportedly a corrupt man. The court asked the law officer as to who was issuing funds to Rizvi. Sohail Mehmood replied that Rizvi was a Khateeb, adding that normally Khateebs were paid by the government.

He then asked Director Legal Ministry of Defence Col (retd) Falak Naz if Rizvi had bank accounts and if he was a taxpayer or not. He further asked what was the source of his livelihood. Falak Naz said the party collected funds. Justice Mushir Alam, however, observed that the party would have some mechanism for collection of funds.

The court expressed annoyance over the absence of the AGP and said in the last hearing they had passed an order seeking assistance to the court on controlling the social media and a detailed report in this regard.

“Where is the written reply?” Justice Isa asked Sohail. The law officer replied that the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) had to file the report in this regard. Justice Isa, however, said the court had nothing to do with the PTA and asked the law officer to comply with the court orders.

Joint Director IB filed the document based on a newspaper clipping. Justice Mushir asked how the document could be confidential when it had already been published in a newspaper.

Appearing on the behalf of Pemra, Hafiz S A Rehman assured the court that the report on the sit-in would be filed within 10 days. In its comprehensive 46-page report, the ISI submitted that it had advised the federal government against using force and resolving the issue through negotiations.

“Despite the ISI’s recommendations to solve the issue politically and avoid the use of force, an operation against the dharna was launched on November 25, 2017 on the orders of the Islamabad High Court."

According to the report, the operation was an utter failure, triggering countrywide protests.

ISI report: The ISI report contains complete profiles of Khadim Hussain Rizvi, Dr Muhammad Ashraf, Asif Jalali and Pir Muhammad Afzal Qadri.

It terms Rizvi “reportedly corrupt” when it comes to financial matters, but also that he appears to be living within his means. The report also says that Rizvi has shown an inclination towards misuse of power, the authorities, and resources. Rizvi’s overall reputation is also termed “unsatisfactory”.

He is also listed as being “arrogant” with his superiors, “harsh” with his subordinates, and “committed” to his cause. As per the report, Dr Jalali is “dubious”, an “opportunist”, and a “manipulator”. His overall general reputation is also “unsatisfactory”.

The report further says the Punjab government made no attempt to obstruct or negotiate with the protesters due to which the TLP was able to gain public support and sustained the sit-in for 20 days.

Regarding logistic supplies, the report mentions, the local police were neither capable nor willing to obstruct or prevent the logistic supplies. The report blames lack of coordination between the police forces of the twin cities, the inability of Rawalpindi police to block reinforcements and live media coverage of the operation on TV as well as social media for the failure of the operation.

Expressing dissatisfaction with the performance of other agencies, the ISI report says the Special Branch of police covered the dharna but restricted themselves to providing tactical information, strength, participation and other logistic aspects.

Likewise, “Intelligence Bureau (IB) remained aloof, as no information or efforts were visible on the part of this agency”. During a high-level meeting at the PM office on November 22, the ISI was given a lead role with complete authority to negotiate.