Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa expressed frustration as numerous petitioners retracted their appeals regarding the 2019 Supreme Court’s decision about the Faizabad sit-in.
The chief justice questioned the petitioners’ motives, wondering why everyone seemed apprehensive. He further displayed his displeasure at the non-implementation of the previous order. He instructed parties, including the federal government, Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority, and the Election Commission of Pakistan, to explain their decision to withdraw their petitions. The hearing was postponed until November 1.
Reactions and Explanation
Attorney General of Pakistan (AJP) Mansoor Awan stated the federal government’s lack of interest in pursuing the case further. CJP Isa pressed the AGP for the rationale behind the withdrawal, emphasizing the change in ruling parties since the petition’s filing. The court also addressed similar withdrawal requests from Pemra and PTI. Moreover, Ejazul Haq was directed to provide an affidavit outlining his concerns about the ISI report on the Faizabad incident.
Faizabad Sit-in Legal Background
The legal proceedings date back to April 15, 2019, when several entities, including the then-federal government, PTI, AML, MQM-P, and Pemra, among others, filed review petitions against the apex court’s decision about the Faizabad sit-in. On February 6, 2019, a verdict from a two-member bench led by the now-CJP Isa emphasized that intelligence agencies should not surpass their mandates and highlighted the importance of peaceful protests. The Faizabad sit-in of November 2017, organized by the TLP against changes in the finality-of-Prophethood oath, culminated in an agreement between the protesters and the government.
