An anti-terrorism court on Monday extended the judicial remand of Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) chief Khadim Rizvi and five other accused until February 08.
Rizvi, Afzal Qadri, Pir Ejaz Ashrafi, Farooqul Hasan, Shafqat Jamil and Waheed Noor appeared before ATC admin judge Sheikh Sajjad amid heavy security on Monday after the expiration of their 14-day judicial remand. The court extended their judicial remand until Feb 8.
A large number of TLP workers were present outside the court premises on the occasion. Police arrested dozens of TLP workers after they tried to block an armoured vehicle carrying party chief Khadim Hussain Rizvi. After the hearing was over, TLP workers tried to block an armoured vehicle carrying Rizvi away from the ATC, leading the police to launch a crackdown and arrest multiple workers.
The TLP leaders were taken into ‘protective custody’ on Nov 23, 2018, after registration of a case against them for damaging property and vandalism during violent protests following a Supreme Court verdict that acquitted Asia Bibi in a blasphemy case last year.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court is all set to announce on Wednesday (tomorrow) its verdict on a suo motu notice of the 2017 Faizabad sit-in staged by the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP).
SC to announce verdict on suo motu notice of 2017 Faizabad sit-in tomorrow
The apex court has issued notices to the attorney general of Pakistan, the inspector general of police Islamabad, the secretary interior, the secretary defence as well as the secretary of the Election Commission of Pakistan.
The verdict pertains to a variety of issues stemming from TLP’s infamous sit-in, including its party registration, violent protest as well as the role of government institutions and regulators in the buildup on the day and in the aftermath of the protest.
On November 22 last year, a two-member bench of the apex court comprising Justice Qazi Faez Isa and Justice Musheer Alam had reserved its verdict in the case after dishing out severe criticism to the attorney general, media regulator and other stakeholders.
In November 2017, the TLP had held a weeks-long protest at Islamabad’s Faizabad interchange which virtually paralysed the capital city and saw several people losing their lives. The court had taken suo motu notice soon after.
The protest had come to an end after the government had given in to the demands of the protesters. The agreement was signed by the government and the protesters after six people were killed while hundreds were injured during a failed operation to evict them.
Published in Daily Times, February 5th 2019.
