Writ of one man prevailing, not the state: SC on Islamabad sit-in
As protest enters 18th day, interior and defence ministries submit their replies before the court
November 23, 2017
ISLAMABAD: The Ministries of Defence and Interior presented their response before the Supreme Court's two-member bench on Thursday, two days after the apex court bench took notice of the ongoing sit-in in Islamabad.
After hearing arguments, the bench adjourned the hearing till the Nov 30 directing the respondents to submit the implementation report.
The hearing took place as the sit-in, which is being staged by a religious group, continued for the 18th day with no headway so far between the government and protestors.
The bench, comprising Justice Qazi Faez Isa and Justice Mushir Alam, expressed its displeasure at the unrelenting situation and noted that the residents of Islamabad and Rawalpindi were facing serious problems as a result of the sit-in.
“When the writ of the state ends, decisions are made on streets,” Justice Isa remarked, adding without taking any names, “this dharna [sit-in] is all about one man’s ego and his quest to get fame.”
He added "No one is talking about peace, everyone is hurling abuse and expressing anger. We also get upset but we do not resort to hurling abuse."
The judge further questioned how the country will manage to function if such a situation persists.
"If something happens yet again tomorrow, will [they] close down cities again?" he asked.
"We don't want bloodshed in the country," Attorney General Ashtar Ausaf told the court. "We are taking initiatives [about the sit-in]. We have included religious scholars in the dialogue process with protestors."
Justice Isa remarked whether the attorney general had knowledge about Islam. He said, that Pakistan was created on the basis of solid arguments, adding that when arguments fail implementing the right way through force is does not augur well.
The attorney general said that 1800 people are participating in the sit-in, and the government has filed 18 cases against 169 people.
Addressing the attorney general, the bench asked whether there was any other way besides the use of force to resolve the matter, to which he responded that work was underway on multiple possible solutions but said that he could not disclose them at the present moment.
The bench remarked that it was the State's respsonsiblity to resolve the matter, the Supreme Court would not do their job for them, adding, that if they did the government would complain of intereference.
The Supreme Court had taken notice of the protests on Tuesday, and had sought replies from the relevant government quarters. The apex court had also issued notices to Inspector General Islamabad Police and Attorney General.
The very next day, at least four security personnel were injured when the protesters resorted to pelting stones at security forces deployed in the area. Four FC and police personnel, including SP Saddar Amir Niazi, were injured as a result.
The protest has resulted in severe issues for residents of the capital and Rawalpindi, who face traffic jams and mobility issues on a daily basis. At least two casualties due to ambulances being unable to cross the protesters have also been reported.
Talks between the government and protesters on Saturday and then on Monday failed with no breakthrough in sight, as protest leaders continue to demand the resignation of Federal Minister for Law and Justice Zahid Hamid.
The protests are being held against the change in the finality of Prophethood oath in the law when the government passed the Elections Act 2017 last month. The change, dubbed a clerical error by the government, was immediately fixed as an amendment was passed later.
