Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa recently stated that if the court’s verdict on the 2017 sit-in by the Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) in Faizabad, Islamabad, had been implemented, future “serious incidents” could have been avoided. CJP Isa made these remarks during a hearing on several review petitions challenging the apex court’s verdict. The three-member bench, comprising CJP Isa, Justice Aminuddin Khan, and Justice Athar Minallah, heard the pleas.
During the hearing, the defense ministry, the federal government, the PTI, and Ijazul Haq, the son of former military dictator Ziaul Haq, withdrew their pleas, prompting CJP Isa to question why everyone was afraid to speak the truth. Attorney-General for Pakistan (AGP) Mansoor Usman Awan assured the court that the decisions of the Faizabad judgment would be implemented.
The 2019 judgment authored by Justice Qazi Faez Isa prior to his appointment as CJP had instructed the defense ministry and the tri-services chiefs to take action against personnel who violated their oath. It had also directed the federal government to monitor and prosecute those advocating hate, extremism, and terrorism. The judgment also criticized several government departments for causing inconvenience to the public during the 20-day sit-in, which affected daily life in Islamabad and Rawalpindi.
Subsequently, several organizations and individuals, including the Ministry of Defense, the Intelligence Bureau (IB), the PTI, Pemra, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), Sheikh Rashid, and Ijazul Haq, filed review petitions against the verdict.
However, the IB and Pemra recently sought to withdraw their review petitions, stating that they no longer wished to pursue the matter.
During the hearing, CJP Isa expressed his disappointment with the withdrawal of the review petitions and questioned the reasons behind it. He emphasized the importance of accountability and urged the respondents to stand for the truth. The hearing was adjourned until November 1, and the respondents’ counsels were directed to submit written responses by October 27.
CJP Isa reiterated that the court was not disposing of the review petitions at that moment and called for the implementation of the 2019 verdict. He emphasized the significance of the verdict in preventing future serious incidents and urged the government and other parties to act upon its directives.
In conclusion, the recent hearing on the Faizabad sit-in case highlighted the importance of implementing the court’s rulings and holding accountable those responsible for violating their oaths and promoting hate and extremism. CJP Isa stressed the need for truth and accountability and urged all parties to take action based on the court’s verdict.