The Supreme Court of Pakistan (SCP) on Thursday disposed off the federal government’s contempt of court plea against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan over his violation of the apex court’s orders during PTI’s ‘Azadi March’.
The government had filed the plea this morning after the PTI went against the SC’s orders, announcing to hold a rally at D-Chowk in Islamabad. A five-member larger bench, headed by Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial, was present at the court.
“We will issue the verdict in the case which will serve as an example in the future,” CJP remarked, adding, “Don’t forget that this party [PTI] has held several rallies.”
At this, Attorney General Ashtar Ausaf maintained that strict security was provided to all PTI rallies since the dismissal of the party’s government.
“Whatever happened yesterday was unfortunate. It shattered SC’s trust in political parties,” CJP Bandial remarked, adding that the court doesn’t want to continue hearing the case.
Bandial said that the court “going beyond its authority, had given orders for the security of people […] directed the political parties to hold negotiations”.
The attorney general then requested the court’s permission to play a video recording of Khan’s address to his supporters, which was granted.
AGP Ausaf argued that Khan told his supporters the SC had granted permission to protest at D-Chowk. The chief justice questioned what happened after the PTI chairman’s statement.
“Imran then asked his workers to reach D-Chowk,” Ausaf replied.
“It is possible that the message was not delivered to Imran Khan properly,” CJP Bandial remarked. “The entire issue is [related to] a conflict. Judicial proceedings cannot be based on assumptions.”
The attorney general argued that the PTI was granted permission to protest after assurances that the Azadi March would be peaceful.
During the hearing, the CJP inquired about the number of people injured yesterday. At this, the AGP informed that 31 police officials were injured.
“Citizens would also have been wounded. The crowd was highly charged,” CJP Bandial said, adding that only the PTI leadership could have controlled the situation.
He said that PTI should understand its responsibility toward citizens. The party should have become an example, he added.
SC directs govt to provide PTI with ground between H-9, G-9 areas to hold jalsa
The Supreme Court of Pakistan (SCP) on Wednesday directed the federal government to provide the PTI with the ground between the H-9 and G-9 areas of Islamabad to hold its public gathering.
The directives came during a hearing of the Islamabad High Court Bar Association’s (IHCBA) plea against the government’s decision to block roads to stop PTI’s “Azadi March” in the federal capital.
A three-member bench of the SC, headed by Justice Ahsan, was hearing the plea. Islamabad chief commissioner and Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Akbar Nasir Khan appeared before the court during the hearing.
Today’s hearing saw two breaks before the apex court issued the final order of providing the space to the PTI for the jalsa.
When the hearing resumed after the second break, the Attorney-General for Pakistan (AGP) Ashtar Ausaf Ali told the three-member bench that the ground, which will be given to the PTI, only had the capacity to accommodate 10,000 people.
During the hearing, Justice Ijaz Ul Ahsan asked PTI’s lawyer Babar Awan when the gathering will be held.
“Till when will the gathering go on for?” asked Justice Ahsan. To this Awan, replied that the decision is for the political leadership to take.
In response, Justice Ahsan remarked that the apex court can change its order, amend or take it back. He added that the bench will be monitoring the developments.
“Talks between the government committee and PTI committee should be held at 10pm tonight at the chief commissioner’s office,” said the court. It directed the deputy commissioner, interior secretary, and inspector-general Islamabad to make sure the meeting take place.
“Arrested political leadership and workers should be freed at once,” said the court. It also ordered the government to follow the point agreed between the JUI-F and PTI during the former’s 2019 long march.
“Any new clause should be included in the agreement through mutual consultation and the court should also be informed about it,” said the bench.
Before the break, the court had directed the authorities concerned to hold consultations over permission for the PTI rally on H9 ground and update the court on the outcome. The bench then adjourned the hearing of the case till 9:30am tomorrow.
SC orders provision of alternative venue for PTI rally
Earlier the court ordered the authorities concerned to provide an alternative venue to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) for Azadi March.
The court directed the authorities concerned to hold consultations over permission for the PTI rally on H9 ground and update the court on the outcome.
The directive came during a hearing of the Islamabad High Court Bar Association’s (IHCBA) plea against the government’s decision to block roads to stop PTI’s ‘Azadi March’. A three-member bench of the SC, headed by Justice Ahsan, was hearing the plea. Islamabad chief commissioner and Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Akbar Nasir Khan appeared before the court during the hearing.
Justice Ijazul Ahsan directed the Islamabad chief commissioner to prepare a traffic plan for the PTI rally and submit a report after compliance with orders by 2:30pm.
“Let them protest and then go home,” Justice Ahsan said. “We expect the government to remove barricades.”
He also directed PTI’s lawyer Faisal Chaudhry to “sit at the negotiating table” with the administration officials and gave him time to get instructions from the party leadership in this regard. The court also directed authorities to provide complete protection to PTI leaders for the negotiations.
“If the PTI fears arrests, it should provide us with a list. We will protect those who fear arrests,” Justice Ahsan said.
Attorney General Ashtar Ausaf told the SC that the government did not allow the PTI to hold its Azadi March on Islamabad’s Srinagar Highway because there was a “threat” to Khan’s life according to reports from security agencies.
“The permission to gather at Srinagar Highway was denied due to the security situation. Imran Khan’s life is in danger as per reports of security agencies. Security agencies have raised fears of a suicide attack on the former prime minister.”
The administration should present a complete plan of action which allows the protest, but keeps roads open so that the protesters can reach peacefully and go back home afterward,” Justice Ahsan said.
The judge sought assurance from the authorities that there won’t be any violence and that roads will not be closed. Moreover, the court directed PTI’s counsel to give names if the party fears arrest.
Justice Mazahir Ali Akbar Naqvi remarked that the Islamabad IGP and Interior secretary should review their policies.
The judge warned the IGP to understand his responsibilities and fulfill them. “You have been appointed four days ago. Stay within your limits as you already have enough burden of cases and allegations,” Justice Naqvi said.
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday ordered police and the administration to stop harassing PTI leaders and workers following a crackdown by the Punjab Police last night.
The court then asked PTI’s lawyer if he could provide an affidavit stating that no incident would take place during the sit-in and that the counsel would be responsible if an unfortunate incident occurred.
“If you cannot provide an affidavit then how can the court issue a general order?” the judge asked.
