ISLAMABAD – The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Wednesday said that Faizabad protest, which was staged by Tehreek e Labaik Ya Rasolallah last year, was “an attack on Muslims by Muslims”.
A two-member bench, comprising Justice Mushir Alam and Justice Qazi Faez Isa, resumed hearing of a suo moto case regarding disruption in routine life during the protest in twin cities for 20 days.
The court sought details regarding damages and killed persons during the protest. During the hearing, different official departments, including defence and interior ministries, Punjab government and Pemra submitted reports on the sit-in.
Attorney General (AG) Ashtar Ausuf informed the court that 12 people died – Nine in Punjab and three in Sindh – and 194 police officials were injured in Islamabad. He added that no any security official lost his life during the protests.
Justice Isa asked whether all killed persons were not Muslims and observed, “This was an attack on Muslims by Muslims”. “It caused harm to the identity of Islam,” Dawn news reported.
The AG further informed the court that the country suffered damages of Rs139.5 million during the protest.
Meanwhile, the court rejected the report submitted by the Pemra stating that the report did not address the questions raised by the apex court.
The bench also asked about the source of income of TLY chief Khadim Hussain Rizvi. In response, a counsel said that details are available in the report.
The sit-in was staged as a protest against the amendment in the Khatam e Nabuuwat clause in the recently passed Election Act 2017.
