The Supreme Court on Wednesday rejected the federal government’s plea to immediately stop PTI chief Imran Khan’s long march to Islamabad. Advised to negotiate with.
The federal government filed a contempt of court petition in the Supreme Court on the PTI chairman’s long march to the federal capital.
In its petition, the government said, “Imran Khan is making announcements to attack Islamabad”, which it claims is in violation of a court order. The apex court was requested to direct the PTI chief to ensure implementation of its orders regarding protests and sit-ins.
A five-member bench headed by Chief Justice Bandial comprising Justice Ijaz-ul-Ahsan, Justice Muneeb Akhtar, Justice Yahya Afridi and Justice Syed Mazhar Ali Akbar Naqvi heard the application today.
A day earlier, Khan said PTI will start its long march from Lahore on October 28 (Friday).
The former prime minister said that all party workers, supporters and leaders will gather at Liberty Chowk in Lahore at 11 am from where they will march towards Islamabad.
Today’s Hearing
In his arguments during the hearing, Additional Attorney General Aamir Rehman said that the reports of the police and intelligence agencies have been reviewed.
The Additional Attorney General said that the court first asked when the PTI chief gave the call for a long march.
He said that the court order came on May 25 at 6 pm, while Khan made the announcement at 6:50 pm and the second announcement at 9:54 pm.
“The PTI had requested for a dharna on the Srinagar highway,” he said. “Khan Sahib had also announced to go to D Chowk before the court order.”
Rehman said that later PTI leaders Shireen Mazari, Fawad Chaudhry, Sadaqat Ali Abbasi, Usman Dar, Shahbaz Gul and Saifullah Niazi also called the party workers to reach D Chowk.
Meanwhile, the court sought Khan’s response on the plea seeking contempt of court proceedings against him.
“It seems from Khan’s statement that he was informed about the court orders as he said that the Supreme Court has ordered the removal of barriers,” the chief justice remarked as he asked the PTI chairman. The court was asked to clarify who said what.
Referring to the end of PTI’s long march to Jinnah Avenue on May 26, Rehman said Khan’s latest call to reach D Chowk was contempt of court.
“Khan crossed the restricted area H9 and reached the Blue Area where he concluded the rally,” he said.
The Additional Attorney General further said that PTI’s lawyers Babar Awan and Faisal Chaudhry assured the court that they would not cross the restricted area.
On this, Chief Justice Bandyal said that Rehman’s argument has some weight, so it would be better to ask for an answer from those who gave assurances.
‘Not Required’
During the hearing, Justice Bandyal said that there is enough justification in the reports that Khan should submit his reply.
He said that even if a notice is given, it is not necessary for Khan to appear.
The Chief Justice further said that the court does not want to make headlines, it only wants the rule of law. He further said that when a show cause notice is issued in a civil contempt case, one has to appear.
Justice Yahya said that the court cannot ask for answers from anyone without notice.
The court directed Khan to provide police, ISI and IB reports and asked the PTI chief to respond in the light of these reports.
The Supreme Court also sought answers from the former prime minister’s lawyers Babar Awan and Faisal Chaudhary.
“We are not yet issuing the notice,” the chief justice said, adding that the notice would give the impression that the proceedings had begun.
Meanwhile, Justice Yahya issued a show-cause notice to Khan as per the previous dissenting note.
The court ordered the PTI chairman and his lawyers to submit their reply by October 31.
The court adjourned the hearing of the case till October 31.
Supreme Court ‘Is Not Executive’
Earlier during the hearing, AAG Rehman told the court that there is a separate application in which the PTI has been ordered to immediately stop the long march.
On this, Chief Justice Bandyal said that the petition has now become effective as he has given the call for the march.
However, Justice Afridi remarked that it would be better if the government withdraws the request for orders to stop the long march or it will have legal ramifications.
Meanwhile, Chief Justice Bandyal remarked that the Supreme Court “is not an executive and does not want to be one”. He further said that no one can be deprived of the right to protest.
However, he emphasized that the protest should be within the limits of the laws.
“In the context of facts, breach of affidavit needs to be seen prima facie,” the chief justice observed, adding that the events of May 26 were not clear.
On this, the Additional Attorney General, while seeking orders to stop the long march of PTI, sought time to take fresh instructions from the government regarding the application.
Accepting the plea, the court assured the government that if any problem arises before October 31, the court can be approached.
