- CJP says apex court will not give any order on the situation in Islamabad as it was an administrative matter for which govt is responsible
- Justice Jamali says protesting parties should avoid using derogatory language against country’s leadership
ISLAMABAD
APP
While hearing a petition regarding the possibility of extra-constitutional steps in the backdrop of country’s prevailing political turmoil, the Supreme Court Thursday remarked that “people who are struggling for justice are standing in its way”.
A five-member SC bench comprising Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Nasirul Mulk, Justice Jawwad S Khawaja, Justice Mian Saqib Nisar, Justice Asif Saeed Khan Khosa and Justice Mushir Alam heard identical petitions filed by the presidents of Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) and Multan High Court Bar Association, seeking the apex court’s direction barring state functionaries from taking any extra-constitutional steps in the prevailing political situation.
During the hearing, Attorney General (AG) Salman Aslam Butt requested the CJP to issue orders or at least give a written or verbal observation against PAT’s sit-in on Shahrah-e-Dastoor 9Constitution Avenue) outside Parliament House, saying that the protest had paralysed the federal capital. The CJP replied that no orders could be issued on the situation in Islamabad as it was an administrative matter for which the government was responsible.
During yesterday’s proceedings, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan’s counsel Hamid Khan appeared before the bench while PAT representatives failed to show up. The CJP expressed his displeasure over the absence of PAT representatives given that PAT secretary general had received the court summons.
Hamid Khan told the bench that PTI was a “peace-observing party” and was against any unconstitutional step.
On this, Justice Khosa remarked that both parties (PTI and PAT) should step back a few yards from the Constitution Avenue and respect the citizens’ fundamental rights while maintaining their political stance. He said that despite all claims of respecting the Constitution, the avenue was blocked due to PTI and PAT sit-ins. He said that marchers claimed that they wanted justice but they had blocked access to road leading to the Supreme Court.
Khan also requested the court to grant more time to file his written response, saying that he could not prepare his client’s response since he received the summons late night.
The court granted him time till today (Friday) to submit his reply and adjourned hearing of the case till tomorrow.
Moreover during the hearing, Justice Jamali observed that the protesting parties should avoid using derogatory language against the country’s leadership.
Justice Nisar remarked that court did not want to become part of the political conflict as protest is a constitutional right of every citizen but others also have the right to move freely.