SC rejects suo motu notice plea on fatalities during PTI protest

Justice Hilali warned the K-P government's lawyer against bringing political matters into the SC.

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The Constitutional Bench of the Supreme Court has rejected the PTI plea seeking to take suo motu notice of the deaths that occurred during Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)’s violent protest.

A five-member constitutional bench of the Supreme Court, headed by Justice Amin-ud-Din Khan, was hearing a case related to the Climate Change Authority.

During the proceedings, Justice Khan observed that the court could only address issues that were formally brought before it.

While the hearing was underway, the Additional Advocate General of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, appearing via video link, raised concerns about the protests in Islamabad’s Blue Area and the large-scale operation that followed.

He referenced the fatalities on both sides during the events and requested the bench to take suo motu notice of the incidents.

The head of the Constitutional Bench, Justice Aminuddin Khan, remarked that the issue is not before us, and therefore, we cannot address it.

Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhel added that the matter is not before the court, and they did not wish to discuss it.

Justice Musarrat Hilali rebuked the K-P government’s lawyer, advising, "Do not bring political matters into the Supreme Court."

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court disposed of a petition related to the integration of FATA into K-P, a petition filed by the founder of PTI.

Lawyer Babar Awan stated that the matter had already been finalized by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Provincial Assembly, and no further judicial action was necessary on the petition filed by the PTI founder.

Yesterday, clashes between security forces and PTI protesters in Islamabad have resulted in 10 deaths and 71 injuries, according to reports from three major hospitals in the city.

Medical sources revealed that six civilians and four security personnel were among the dead, with the injured transported to Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), Poly Clinic, and CDA Hospital, Express News reported.

PIMS reported receiving 27 injured police officers and 14 civilians, along with seven bodies—four of security personnel and three civilians. Poly Clinic confirmed three deaths and 28 civilian injuries, while CDA Hospital treated two injured civilians, one with a gunshot wound and another hurt by tear gas.

A PTI spokesperson alleged heavy-handedness by security forces. "Unarmed protesters were met with a barrage of bullets on Islamabad's streets, leaving hundreds injured," the spokesperson said.

Following a late-night operation by security forces, PTI announced the suspension of its protest, promising further guidance after consultations with their detained leader, Imran Khan, and the party's core committee.