Extra-constitutional step: Qadri submits reply in SC

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) chief Dr Tahirul Qadri has submitted his reply as sought by the Supreme Court of Pakistan 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.

The reply from was submitted by PAT lawyer Ali Zafar in which the respondent stated that the court was not authorized to conduct the hearing as it is a political matter. Furthermore, it stated that the masses have taken to the streets for the sake of justice. No body has been stopped to come to the Shahrah-e-Dastoor, instead the blockades have been set up by the government.

On Wednesday, the court had issued notices to Imran Khan and Dr Tahirul Qadri for Thursday hearing 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.