The Supreme Court disposed of Awami Muslim League Sheikh Rashid’s review petition in the Faizabad dharna verdict for being withdrawn.
A three-judge bench, headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa and also comprising Justice Aminuddin Khan and Justice Athar Minallah, heard the Faizabad dharna verdict implementation case on Wednesday.
At the previous hearing, the Supreme Court had allowed 12 review petitions against the Faizabad dharna verdict to be withdrawn. The attorney general had assured the court that the federal government accepted the Faizabad sit-in verdict and would form a commission over it.
The federal government on Wednesday constituted an inquiry commission on the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan’s sit-in of 2017 at Faizabad in Rawalpindi.
During the proceedings, the chief justice asked Sheikh Rashid why he filed the review plea in the first place, adding it cannot happen that the orders came from somewhere else to do so.
Also Read: Inquiry commission formed on TLP's 2017 Faizabad dharna
The former minister responded that it was filed due to some misunderstanding.
“Everyone knew the truth, but nobody talked about it. Nobody has the courage,” the CJP said.
Rashid’s lawyer said these days, especially, it is hard to speak the truth and gather courage.
“Is the Supreme Court being controlled from outside? You’re still not speaking the truth about who asked to file the review petition” remarked the CJP.
Rashid responded that nobody had asked him to file it.
The attorney general submitted the notification of the government’s commission of inquiry and read out its terms of reference.
“Those who were MNAs and ministers are responsible, aren't they?” CJP Isa asked. “If you order arson and violence, then stand by it too. Say that you supported it.”
The federal and all provincial governments are bound to cooperate with the commission, the AGP said, asking why no one from the Ministry of Defense was included in the commission.
The AGP assured the court of amendment to the TORs of the commission. He said the question would be included in the terms whether it was a coincidence that all the review pleas were filed together.
The Supreme Court expressed confidence in the federal government’s inquiry commission. The CJP remarked that a good step had been taken and it was not appropriate to doubt the commission right now.
“If no one appears before the commission on being summoned, they can be arrest also,” the chief judge remarked.
Absar Alam told the court his doubts were on the basis of the history of this country.
“Is there any exception to whom the commission can and cannot summon?” CJP Isa asked. The AGP responded in the negative.
The Faizabad dharna review case hearing was adjourned till January 22. The Supreme Court has sought the report of the inquiry commission on the next hearing.
