PTI, PAT refuse to move from Constitution Avenue: AGP

AGP says both parties are not willing to shift their protests to an alternative place

ISLAMABAD: The attorney general for Pakistan (AGP) has told the Supreme Court (SC) that the Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) have refused to vacate Constitution Avenue.

The AGP has also said that both parties are not willing to shift their protests to an alternative place.

In compliance to the top court’s August 25 order, Deputy Attorney General Sajid Ilyas Bhatti has submitted a report on the outcome of the meeting held by the AGP and both parties’ counsels, Hamid Khan and Ali Zafar, regarding the clearance of Constitution Avenue for free movement.

The report says that the meeting was held on Monday in the Pakistan Bar Council Library, wherein AGP Salman Aslam Butt offered both PTI and PAT an alternative place for their sit-ins, however they have rejected his offer.

It is to be noted that the AGP offered two locations, namely Parade Ground in Faizabad next to Islamabad Highway and Sports complex, for the protests.

Ahmad Awais, counsel for PTI on Tuesday (today) told the AGP that PTI chairman Imran Khan is not willing to leave the present spot.

Similarly, Zafar informed the AGP that PAT is not willing to shift to any other place and that on account of a large number of people gathered at one location, PAT would not be able to vacate the place or open the road lanes along Constitution Avenue.

However, Zafar stated that PAT would endeavor to make arrangements for facilitating the flow of traffic along Constitution Avenue.

Hamid Khan, another counsel for PTI, however informed the court that workers of PTI have not blocked any routes nor are they causing any hindrance in the movement of people.

He further stated that the protest is taking place in the Parade Ground, which is away from Parliament House and other buildings nearby. He submitted that Parade Ground has not been used for any kind of traffic for the last five years.

Earlier, the five-judge bench of the apex court -- headed by Chief Justice Nasirul Mulk -- after hearing the bar’s plea against the ongoing protests at Constitution Avenue on Monday,  directed the counsels of both parties, and the AGP to work together to come up with a solution which allows for free movement on Constitution Avenue.

The court sought a report about the clearance of Constitution Avenue for free movement today (Tuesday) in the chambers.