Extra-constitutional step: SC summons Imran, Qadri on Thursday

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court of Pakistan (SC) on Wednesday issued notices to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan and Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) chief Dr Tahirul Qadri while hearing the case pertaining to likely extra-constitutional step, Geo News reported.

A four-judge larger bench headed by the Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Nasir-ul-Mulk and comprising Justice Jawwad S. Khawaja, Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali, Justice Saqib Nisar and Justice Asif Saeed Khan Khosa was hearing the petition filed by the Lahore High Court's Multan Bar Association.

During the hearing, the court summoned PTI chief Imran Khan and PAT leader Dr Tahirul Qadri for tomorrow’s hearing. The court also issued notices to law secretary and secretary of interior ministry.

Justice Jawwad S Khawaja, while hearing the case, remarked that the constitution provides a procedure to remove the prime minister, and anyone who would try to employ any unconstitutional step would create chaos and anarchy.

The attorney general argued that any effort to remove the government through power is illegal and unconstitutional. Therefore, the sit-in by the PTI and PAT to get rid of the present regime is the violation of Article 18, 19 and 20.

Justice Saqib Nisar remarked that the court would not interfere in the political matters but would only look into the fundamental rights. He, then, questioned if anyone has the right to lead a crowd inside the Supreme Court. “There’s a limit to everything,” Justice Saqib remarked.