Top court rejects plea to stop Khan’s march

Pakistan’s Supreme Court on Thursday dismissed a petition to stop the protest march of former prime minister Imran Khan by observing that it was a political issue and should be resolved politically.

Senator Kamran Murtaza of the ruling coalition had filed the petition against the long march by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-insaf (PTI) party, which 70-year-old Khan has billed as ‘Haqeeqi Azadi’ (real freedom) march.

A three-member bench headed by Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial and comprising Justices Athar Minallah and Ayesha Malik heard the plea. After detailed arguments by the parties, the chief justice said that “it is a political problem that can be solved politically”. The court then dismissed the senator’s petition.

The chief justice also remarked that parliament should be strengthened to address the political issues faced by the country. “You are a senator, strengthen the parliament,” he said addressing the petitioner.

The chief justice also clarified that the apex court would intervene if there was a clear threat of constitutional violation, adding that the constitution allows everyone to hold peaceful protest but it should be within the confines of the law.

Justice Minallah observed that the executive enjoyed wide-ranging powers to deal with any law and order situation and the powers of the administration and parliament would be weakened due to intervention by the judiciary.

Additional Attorney-general Chaudhry Amir Rehman told the court that the administration had asked Khan’s party to hold a rally in Rawat, about 25-km from Islamabad, and also sought an affidavit from the PTI to remain peaceful but it had not provided it so far.

The march began on October 28 from Lahore and is on its way towards Islamabad. The PTI has announced plans to hold a historic power show in the capital and also sought permission for it but the government has not granted it.

Meanwhile, addressing the participants of the long march, Khan said the government was introducing changes in the army act in an effort to bring in an army chief who could “protect them”.

In his virtual address, the former prime minister said that there was a chance that the current leaders would flee the country. “They are doing this all for themselves, no the country,” he said. — agencies

Prima facie, the court’s interference on the issue would be premature [...] court will exercise judicial restraint in such political matters”

Umar Ata Bandial

Pakistan’s Chief Justice