ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Wednesday asked Attorney General Ashtar Ausaf to seek directions from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif over the PTI’s demands regarding its Azadi March.
A three-member bench headed by Justice Ijazul Ahsan, and comprising Justice Munib Akhtar and Justice Sayyed Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi, issued the directives while hearing the petition filed by Islamabad High Court Bar Association (IHCBA) President Mohammad Shoaib Shaheen a day earlier, seeking the removal of blockades in the capital ahead of the PTI’s march.
PTI lawyer Babar Awan appeared on the rostrum when the hearing resumed after a short break around 3pm. He told the court that the party had asked for permission to stage the march on May 23.
Awan called on the court to issue directives to the government. He demanded that the blockades placed on roads be lifted and the arrested PTI workers be released immediately. He assured the court that the party would adhere to its directives.
Justice Ahsan remarked that there was a lack of communication and trust between the government and the PTI.
Awan told the court that Imran had formed a four-member committee for talks with the administration, comprising him, Faisal Chaudhry, Amir Kiyani and Ali Awan. He asked the court to allow the PTI to stage a protest at Srinagar Highway.
“We want to protest where the JUI-F staged a sit-in twice in the past,” he said, assuring the court that it would be peaceful and not affect routine life. He also urged the court to intervene against the tear gas shelling by the authorities on the protesters.
The apex court directed the attorney general to seek directions from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif regarding the PTI’s demands. The AG should inform the court after an hour after seeking instructions from the PM, the court said.
Justice Ahsan said that the PTI’s demands were clear and expressed hope that parties would reach a decision within an hour.
The attorney general said the PM would soon nominate a team for talks with the PTI. “The prime minister wants political matters to be settled outside of court,” he said.
