SC expresses dismay over not settling Islamabad sit-in

ISLAMABAD - The Supreme Court on Thursday accused the government of not taking timely measures to stop the ongoing Faizabad sit-in staged by the religious parties that has paralyzed Islamabad and Rawalpindi for 18 days.

A bench, comprising Justice Qazi Faez Isa and Justice Mushir Alam take up the suo moto case and expressed annoyance over uncertainty in the capital.

The Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Interior submitted their reports, while Attorney General Ashtra Ausaf were also present in the court.

Justice Mushir Alam while reading the report said that the Punjab government was aware of the situation.

Justice Qazi Faez Isa remarked that the concerned parties should approach the courts if there are differences. He added that a bad precedent is set through this sit-in that anyone could disrupt routine life in capital for their demands.

While commenting on talks between the government and protesters, he remarked that Islam teaches people to remove even a stone from someone’s way.

The Attorney General informed the court that scholars have been made part of the team to hold negotiations with the protesters. He added that the government did not wanted bloodshed.

Justice Isa said that people were facing difficulties due to the standstill, asking for a reference from teachings of Islam regarding blocking the roads.

He said that containers have been put on roads to block them at the expense of public money. The Justice sought details regarding expenses on the ongoing sit-in.

Expressing dismay at the ongoing situation, Isa said: “When the writ of the state ends, decisions are made on streets”.

The judge further questioned how the country would work under such situation.

The attorney general said the sit-in comprised some 1800 people, while the government has registered 18 cases against 169 people.

The court directed ISI to re-submit its report on the sit-in at its hearing next on November 30.

On Nov 21, the apex court took a suo moto notice of the sit-in staged by religious groups in Islamabad.

The top court inquired what initiatives were taken to safeguard the basic rights of the citizens besides issuing notices to Inspector General Police Islamabad, Inspector General Police Punjab and Attorney General.

The apex court sought a detailed report about the sit-in from Secretary Defence and Secretary Interior by Thursday, November 23.