Supreme Court takes notice of Islamabad sit-in
- By Web Desk -
- Nov 21, 2017
ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Tuesday took cognizance of a religious group’s sit-in at the Faizabad Interchange that has paralyzed life in the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad for the last two weeks.
The top court has summoned a detailed report from the defence and interior secretaries on the matter. They have been asked to explain the steps being taken to ensure fundamental rights of citizens.
It also issued notices to the Attorney General and the police chiefs of Islamabad and Punjab police to submit their response until Thursday.
A two-judge bench comprising Justice Mushir Alam and Justice Qazi Faez Isa took notice of the sit-in on the request of a lawyer.
Justice Isa observed that the protesters violated the Article 14, 15 and 19 of the country’s constitution, which related to fundamental right of citizens to freedom of movement.
The hundreds of activists and supporters of Tehreek Labaik Ya Rasool Allah have camped out at the Faizabad Interchange, which connects Rawalpindi and Islamabad, multiplying hardships of the people of the twin cities.
On Monday, the government convened a meeting of leading scholars belong to the various schools of thought in a bid to find a negotiated end to the protest, which has kept the capital on tenterhooks
During the marathon meeting held at the Punjab House it was decided to form a committee headed by Pir Haseenuddin Shah to propose a comprehensive solution to the sit-in.
A day earlier, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) granted two days’ time to the administration to clear the Faizabad Interchange of the protesters.
Tehreek Labaik Ya Rasool Allah has been protesting for a fortnight, demanding action against those responsible for making now-withdrawn amendment to the clause pertaining to the Khatm-i-Nabuwwat oath for electoral candidates and the sacking of Law Minister Zahid Hamid.
The National Assembly on Thursday passed the Elections (Amendment) Bill 2017, restoring the clause about the finality of Prophet-hood to its original form.