AG requests SC to issue observation against sit-ins

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court (SC) on Thursday resumed hearing the identical petitions filed by the presidents of Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) and High Court Bar Association, Multan Bench seeking the apex court’s direction that no authority or state functionaries be to take any extra-constitutional steps in the prevailing political situation of the country.

A five-member larger bench of the apex court, headed by Chief Justice Nasirul Mulk and comprising Justice Jawwad S Khawaja, Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali, Justice Mian Saqib Nisar and Justice Asif Saeed Khan Khosa heard the petitions.

On Wednesday, the court issued notices to Imran Khan and Dr Tahirul Qadri for today in an identical petition, filed by President High Court Bar Association, Multan Bench Syed Tahir Shah Bukhari praying for restraining PTI chief Imran Khan and PAT chief Dr Tahirul Qadri from taking out illegal processions and trespassing of prohibited zones including the Constitution Avenue, offices of foreign missions, Pakistan Secretariat offices legally banned for conducting every sort of marches including dharnas and civil disobedience by offending public peace and tranquility in any manner.

During today’s hearing, Imran Khan’s counsel Hamid Khan appeared before the bench, whereas no representative from PAT showed up. The bench expressed its displeasure over absence of PAT representative.

Hamid Khan told the bench that PTI is a peace observing party and is against any unconstitutional step. He, then, requested the court to grant more time to file his written response, saying that he could not prepare his client’s response since he received the summon late night.

The court granted him time till tomorrow (Friday) to submit his reply. and adjourned the hearing.

Attorney General (AG) Salman Aslam Butt also appeared before the bench and requested the court to issue orders or at least give a written or verbal observation against PAT’s sit-in on Shahrah-e-Dastoor outside Parliament, saying that the protest has paralyzed the federal capital and is deteriorating the peace situation.

To this, the CJ remarked that no orders could be issued on the situation in Islamabad as it was an administrative matter for which the government was responsible.

The court later reissued summons to PAT and adjourned the case till Friday.