PAT opposes SC intervention to settle ongoing crisis

PAT counsel asks court to direct Parliament to make an effort to resolve the crisis instead

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) has opposed the idea of Supreme Court intervention to settle the ongoing political impasse, the party's counsel said in a written reply on Thursday.

On Wednesday, the Supreme Court sought suggestions from all parliamentary parties regarding the solution to the ongoing political impasse within the parameters of constitution. Earlier this week, it had also offered to play a constructive role in the negotiations between the protesters and the government if they wanted.

PAT counsel Ali Zafar submitted a written reply on Thursday, stating that resolving the ongoing political issue does not fall within the jurisdiction of the top court.

"The government should shoulder the responsibility of its own actions rather than pass on the responsibility to other institutions."

The reply said that it was the responsibility of the government to resolve the ongoing political unrest, therefore, the court should direct it in this regard. The party pointed out that Parliament should have formulated their solution to solve the impasse rather than repeat the government’s mantra.

The reply also drew attention to the government's continuing failure to effectively investigate the violence in Model Town, Lahore against PAT workers on June 17, repeating its right to protest peacefully.

"This is the beauty of democracy. Dharna has a long history interconnected with the Independence of the British India,” the reply said. “It was due to dharnas that toiling people of British India could get their freedom. Even the imperial government did not attempt to alienate limits on dharna nor did they go to court for this purpose because they treated it to be peoples right."