Islamabad admin directs TLYR to call-off protest after IHC order

•  Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui observes if a good deed is carried out wrongly, it becomes a ‘wrong act’

ISLAMABAD: Following the orders passed by the Islamabad High Court on Thursday, the Islamabad administration has warned Tehreek-e-Labbaik Ya Rasool Allah (TLYR) to call-off their rally led by cleric Khadim Hussain Rizvi or be ready to face legal action.

Interestingly, experts have said that after the failure of government’s committee—consisting of three federal ministers tasked to convince the TLYR protestors to end their protest in a peaceful way—now any physical operation against the clerics would ultimately go in their favour, further strengthening their stance.

Earlier, the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) administration issued a notice to clerics Rizvi and Pir Afzal Qadri, in which it was directed to TLYR leaders to either shift their protest to the marked area—Shakarparian Parade Ground—or dismiss it immediately. The notice added that non-compliance of orders will lead to contempt of court, and the competent authority will be compelled to initiate strict legal action against the illegal sit-in order to maintain government’s writ.

This is the third notice served to them by the District Magistrate.

Prior to that, two separate notices were issued to Rizvi on Nov 5 and 9, intimating that they are going to hold an illegal sit-in with intentions to siege Islamabad.

Yesterday, the IHC, in a writ petition titled “Tehreek-e-Labbaik Ya Rasool Allah vs the Prime Minister Republic of Pakistan”, passed an order, which states: “As the petitioner has invoked the jurisdiction of the court; therefore, it is directed that they must pay respect to the law and call off the dharna, which is resulting into blockage of roads and bringing suffering to the ordinary citizens, government employees and students. It is expected that by showing grace, the petitioner will pay respect to the law and positively respond to the order passed by this court.”

However, till yesterday’s night, Tehreek-e-Labbaik leadership continued with their protest and allegedly refused to abide by the orders of the ICT administration and the court, announcing to continue their protest until their demands are met

On the other hand, residents of the twin cities continued suffering from heavy traffic chaos and unavailability of mobile phone services within the five-kilometre circle where the protesters have staged their sit-in.

It is pertinent to mention here that two religious parties have camped at the jugular of Islamabad and Rawalpindi for 10 days now in protest against the government’s controversial amendment and reversal in the Finality of Prophethood oath for lawmakers.

While hearing the petition filed by Maulana Allah Wasaya against the amendments to the clauses related to the Finality of Prophethood in the Elections Act, 2017, Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui observed that the petition will be heard only if the sit-in ends.

He directed the petitioner’s counsel to follow the law and end the sit-in so the public’s miseries can end. The judge also observed that citizens from the twin cities are being adversely affected by the protest.

The petitioner’s counsel wants the government to make public the report of the enquiry committee headed by Senator Raja Zafarul Haq.

During the hearing, the judge also observed that if a good deed is carried out wrongly, then it becomes a wrong act.

The judge also ordered the petitioner’s counsel to apologise for the scandalous remarks reportedly ushered against the chief justice of Pakistan at the protest.

Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui later adjourned the hearing until Nov 29.