SC declines AG's plea to issue order against PAT sit-in
Neither Tahirul Qadri nor his counsel appeared in the Supreme Court today.
ISLAMABAD (Web Desk) – Chief Justice Nasir-ul-Mulk on Thursday remarked that people are facing difficulties while accessing the Supreme Court and other offices on the Constitution Avenue.
Thousands of followers of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan and Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) chairman Tahir-ul-Qadri have been demonstrating outside the parliament building in Islamabad, trying to force Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif from office.
A five-member bench headed by Chief Justice Nasir-ul-Mulk heard a petition pertaining to extra-constitutional steps against Khan and Qadri.
PTI s lawyer Hamid Khan appeared in court, however, no PAT representative appeared despite the apex court’s notice.
Imran Khan s counsel Hamid Khan said they received notices late night and copy of the petition was not provided as yet.
Chief Justice Nasir-ul-Mulk told him that people are facing hardships while accessing the Supreme Court and other offices on the Constitution Avenue. Even, lawyers and litigants have been facing problems as protesters are also sitting outside the Supreme Court.
Hamid Khan said PTI has not blocked any government building or state institution as the party opposes extra-constitutional steps.
Justice Asif Saeed Khosa remarked that protestors should not step back an inch from their demands but they should take their steps back few feet away from the Constitution Avenue.
Meanwhile, the bench also expressed anger over PAT representative’s absence.
Attorney General 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 outside Parliament, saying that the protest has paralyzed the federal capital and is sabotaging the city s peace.
Chief Justice of Pakistan said that court has nothing to do with political issues. It is government’s responsibility to handle administrative issues, thus, no order can be given.
Later, the court issued another notice to Tahirul Qadri and ordered PTI counsel Hamid Khan to submit a written reply till tomorrow.
The case hearing has been adjourned till Friday.
It may be mentioned here that the Supreme Court on Wednesday issued summon notices to opposition leader Imran Khan and cleric Tahir ul-Qadri over their protests.
Both Qadri and Khan want to force Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to step down. Qadri says he is corrupt and Khan says he rigged last year s elections.
