SC gives PTI, PAT one day to clear Constitution Avenue
SC also requests a report about the clearance of Constitution Avenue for free movement tomorrow morning
ISLAMABAD:
The Supreme Court has given one day to the Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to clear Constitution Avenue for the free movement of traffic.
The main thoroughfare in the Red Zone of Islamabad has been the site of the PTI and the PAT sit-in protests since August 19, 2014.
The five-judge bench of the apex court headed by Justice Jawwad S Khawaja, after hearing the bar’s plea against the ongoing protests at Constitution Avenue, has directed the counsels for PAT and PTI, and the Attorney General of Pakistan to work together to come up with a solution the allows for free movement on Constitution Avenue.
The court has also requested a report about the clearance of Constitution Avenue for free movement tomorrow (Tuesday) morning.
“The test will be when we (the judges) try to come to the Supreme Court tomorrow using Constitution Avenue,” the chief justice remarked.
The court took strong exceptions over the drying of clothes on the Supreme Court’s boundary wall. The bench asked the PAT counsel Ali Zafar to take notice in this regard.
Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali said that the functioning of the Election Commission of Pakistan and the Federal Shariat Court has been interrupted due to the ongoing protests.
Justice Khawaja lashes out Qadri
Referring to PAT chief Tahirul Qadri, Justice Jawwad S Khawaja remarked that one of the leaders of the protests is a Canadian citizen, adding that the court had taken note last year that Qadri is a Canadian national who has taken an oath to remain faithful to the queen of Canada.
Referring to the statements of Pashtoonkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) chief Mahmood Khan Achakzai, Justice Khawaja said that the repercussions of this protest are very serious.
Expressing concern over the prevailing political situation, the Justice lamented that the President of Sri Lanka had postponed his visit to Pakistan due to the political unrest.
Justice Mian Saqib Nisar made it clear that the court itself had a neutral stance when it came to political issues or political activities of both parties protesting in Islamabad, adding that the court was enforcing its authority under Article 184 (3) of the constitution for free movement.
During the hearing, Attorney General of Pakistan Salman Aslam Butt told the bench that the government is willing to provide an alternative site to both parties for sit-in protests.
The justice, however, said that the location is not the issue before them as they just wanted clearance of Constitution Avenue for free movement. He said that the court had received complaints that certain groups of people were insisting to check the identity of individuals who were coming to the court.
PTI counsel Hamid Khan contended that no PTI worker was placing any hindrance on Constitution Avenue. PAT counsel Ali Zafar also told the bench that he had conveyed the court’s concern to his client regarding obstruction in free movement along Constitution Avenue. The hearing of the case has been adjourned until Wednesday.
The Supreme Court has given one day to the Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to clear Constitution Avenue for the free movement of traffic.
The main thoroughfare in the Red Zone of Islamabad has been the site of the PTI and the PAT sit-in protests since August 19, 2014.
The five-judge bench of the apex court headed by Justice Jawwad S Khawaja, after hearing the bar’s plea against the ongoing protests at Constitution Avenue, has directed the counsels for PAT and PTI, and the Attorney General of Pakistan to work together to come up with a solution the allows for free movement on Constitution Avenue.
The court has also requested a report about the clearance of Constitution Avenue for free movement tomorrow (Tuesday) morning.
“The test will be when we (the judges) try to come to the Supreme Court tomorrow using Constitution Avenue,” the chief justice remarked.
The court took strong exceptions over the drying of clothes on the Supreme Court’s boundary wall. The bench asked the PAT counsel Ali Zafar to take notice in this regard.
Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali said that the functioning of the Election Commission of Pakistan and the Federal Shariat Court has been interrupted due to the ongoing protests.
Justice Khawaja lashes out Qadri
Referring to PAT chief Tahirul Qadri, Justice Jawwad S Khawaja remarked that one of the leaders of the protests is a Canadian citizen, adding that the court had taken note last year that Qadri is a Canadian national who has taken an oath to remain faithful to the queen of Canada.
Referring to the statements of Pashtoonkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) chief Mahmood Khan Achakzai, Justice Khawaja said that the repercussions of this protest are very serious.
Expressing concern over the prevailing political situation, the Justice lamented that the President of Sri Lanka had postponed his visit to Pakistan due to the political unrest.
Justice Mian Saqib Nisar made it clear that the court itself had a neutral stance when it came to political issues or political activities of both parties protesting in Islamabad, adding that the court was enforcing its authority under Article 184 (3) of the constitution for free movement.
During the hearing, Attorney General of Pakistan Salman Aslam Butt told the bench that the government is willing to provide an alternative site to both parties for sit-in protests.
The justice, however, said that the location is not the issue before them as they just wanted clearance of Constitution Avenue for free movement. He said that the court had received complaints that certain groups of people were insisting to check the identity of individuals who were coming to the court.
PTI counsel Hamid Khan contended that no PTI worker was placing any hindrance on Constitution Avenue. PAT counsel Ali Zafar also told the bench that he had conveyed the court’s concern to his client regarding obstruction in free movement along Constitution Avenue. The hearing of the case has been adjourned until Wednesday.