IHC expresses reservations over agreement between government, protesters

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court, in it's written order, observed on Monday that it has serious reservations on the terms and mannerism of the agreement reached between the federal government and the protesters at Faizabad. 

The four-page order includes the copy of the agreement between the government and protesters.

The director-general of the Intelligence Bureau (IB) has been directed to submit a report on how the protesters of the sit-in procured guns, tear gas shells, masks to protect themselves from tear-gas, grenades, weapons and other instruments. 

The DG IB was further instructed to submit a report showing the reasons for the failure of the operation. 

The court has also asked the chief commissioner to submit his report on the conduct of the operation and reasons for failure. 

Court proceedings 

Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal had been summoned today (Monday) on a contempt notice over the government's failure to implement court orders directing the shifting of the Faizabad protest to the Parade Ground. 

Workers of a religious party had been protesting against the government at Faizabad Interchange of the capital for around three weeks.

As Monday's hearing went underway, the deputy attorney general told Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui that he was informed of the agreement between the protesters and the government from the news channels. 

He said the minister will inform the court of the agreement's details in person when he appears. 

During proceedings, the chief commissioner informed the judge that the sit-in will be cleared as the two sides have reached an agreement. The judge then directed the counsel to read out the judgment and questioned the guarantee of the sit-in ending. 

The minister, who arrived later, also informed the court that the protest will formally end today after the announcement is made in a formal press conference. 

The judge remarked that the minister has insulted the city administration [due to the botched operation].

You (Iqbal) have done nothing than surrender before sit-in protesters, he added.

He also asked where has [Operation] Raddul Fasaad gone; did no one see any fasaad [chaos] here?

Justice Siddiqui also spoke regarding the presence of tear-gas shells and other weapons with the protesters and questioned how were these weapons obtained by the protesters. 

The judge further stated that the protesters had verbally abused judges and asked why their apology is not in the agreement.

Referring to the agreement’s clause of dismissing cases against the protesters, the judge wondered how persons against whom cases are filed under the Anti-Terrorism Act can be pardoned.

Inquiring about Haq’s report, the judge commented that this is not any Khadim or group's issue but an issue of the Ummah.

The court also wondered how the army could become an arbitrator between the government and those who flouted the law when they have to obey the order of the elected government.

There was no role of any intelligence agency behind the sit-in protest, a representative of an agency informed the court.

He stated that there were only two ways to control the situation and they opted for the peaceful way to resolve the protest after the court’s order.

Army has the mandate to work under your (Iqbal's) instructions, the judge remarked.

Army should remain under its constitutional role and not play the role of an arbitrator, added the justice. 

“They (army) came as witness, not arbitrator,” clarified Iqbal.

He also said that the Rangers were deployed alongside the Islamabad administration.

“The army is our pride. Our fathers, sons and brothers are in the army. In case of danger, we will stand side by side with the army,” further stated Siddiqui. 

The attorney general was also summoned by the court for the next hearing. 

The judge then adjourned the hearing until December 4 and directed the submission of the written agreement in court. The court also directed the other government officials summoned today to submit their responses on Thursday. 

At the last hearing, Justice Siddiqui had directed the interior secretary to submit Senator Raja Zafarul Haq's report before the court.

The ruling party has formed an inquiry committee under Haq that will identify those responsible for the 'clerical error' that led to the change in the oath of the Finality of Prophethood for electoral candidates.