Don’t meddle in politics, top court tells armed forces

Pakistan's Supreme Court has told the country’s armed forces to refrain from engaging in political activities and directed state agencies like the Inter Services Intelligence to operate within the law.

The top court also ordered the government to act against those propagating hatred, extremism and terrorism.

The unusual remarks were part of a judgement criticising the role of the intelligence agencies in anti-blasphemy protests which paralysed the capital Islamabad for several weeks in 2017. “If any personnel of the Armed Forces indulges in any form of politicking or tries to manipulate the media, he undermines the integrity and professionalism of the Armed Forces,” said judgement.

Pakistan's Constitution prohibits members of the armed forces from “engaging in any kind of political activity”, it added, ordering the government and the chiefs of the army, air force and navy to take action against anyone found violating their oaths to uphold the document.

Viral videos of a serving general of the Pakistan Army handing out cash to protesters helped fuel speculation that the demonstrators were backed by the military.

The judgement also commented on curbs on free speech, singling out the intelligence agencies for a stern warning.

“All intelligence agencies... and the (military’s media wing) must not exceed their respective mandates.

“They cannot curtail the freedom of speech and expression,”

ISLAMABAD :

the judgement said, adding “those who resort to such tactics under the mistaken belief that they serve some higher goal delude themselves.”

An Islamabad High Court judge was ousted last year after he publicly accused the country's top intelligence agency of manipulating judicial decisions to influence the general election.