Staff Report
ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court (SC) said Wednesday it was “disappointed” to note that riots took place in the federal capital despite its order to create a balance between both sides — the PTI and the government.
“We are disappointed to note that bona fide effort made by Court was disrespected,” the Supreme Court said in a written order on the plea filed by the Islamabad High Court Bar Association (IHCBA) against the government’s decision to block roads to stop PTI’s “Azadi March”.
The top court had earlier disposed of the IHCBA’s petition and issued a verbal order a day after PTI Chairman Imran Khan on May 26 had announced calling off the long march.
The court said by acting upon assurances given on behalf of the top leadership of PTI and issuing directions to the government, its order created a balance between the mutual rights and obligations of the protesting people, the ordinary public and the duties of the state.
“This balance was recorded in good faith by the Court whilst trusting the representations made on behalf of the two opposing parties before it. We are disappointed to note that the bona fide effort made by the Court was disrespected,” the apex court said.
The SC said it passed the order — by trusting the representations made and assurances given to the court — to create harmony between the two opposing sides for the sake of protecting the public interest and the constitutional rights of the people.
“In the present case, to say the least, the moral high ground held by the parties has diminished because public rights, interests, and property of the disinterested public have been breached and damaged badly,” the SC said.
The SC said it expects that the high functionaries of the executive throughout the country and the top leadership of the PTI and other political parties shall abide and settle a fair code of securing free, fair, and peaceful political activity in the country leading to the holding of the national election.
Nevertheless, there remains the lurking question of whether the responsibility for the events of yesterday evening comprising reckless acts of mob anger can be blamed upon the senior leadership of the PTI, the top court said.
“So far there is no evidence or allegation that such acts were committed on the instigation of any party or happened randomly. At its most elementary level, the PTI leader appears to have assured the holding of a political rally at the G-9/H-9 ground and therefore not to assemble and sit in another venue including at D-Chowk in G-5 Islamabad.”
However, the court noted, that the attorney-general claims that the PTI workers and supporters moved forward to the D-Chowk area in response to the call made by their leader.
“Notwithstanding the said request by the AGP, we exercise restraint for the time being for a number of reasons,” the court said.
“Firstly, Mr. Imran Khan has called off the rally/public meeting. That gives a recess to the charged mob witnessed last night. Secondly, prudence advises that time be given for sanity to prevail among the stakeholders. In any event, facts and materials need to be collected to establish the sequence of events, the identity of the perpetrators and of the instigators, if any.”
