News @ 3 - 23rd November 2017

ISLAMABAD: Hundreds of activists and supporters of Tehreek Labaik Ya Rasool Allah on Thursday remained camped out at the Faizabad Interchange for the 18th consecutive day as the government failed to break the stalemate.

The protesters have blocked the Faizabad Interchange, which connects Rawalpindi and Islamabad, multiplying hardships of the people of the twin cities.

The Supreme Court has taken cognizance of the sit-in that has paralyzed life in the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad for the last two weeks.

The top court had summoned a detailed report from the defence and interior secretaries on the matter. They have been asked to explain the steps being taken to ensure fundamental rights of citizens.

However, the two-judge bench of Supreme Court on Thursday (today) expressed grave disappointment on reports submitted by Defence and Interior ministries.

Justice Qazi Faez remarked that the names highlighted in the report were already known to everyone while enquiring about the government inaction on the matter.

“Who is being benefited from the protest,” he asked while passing orders to the authorities concerned to probe elements funding the sit-in.

On the occasion, Attorney General Ashtar Ausaf Ali informed the bench about the government’s initiatives to end the protest peacefully.

The attorney general said government has undertaken measures to curb the protesters’ activities.

Expressing dissatisfaction, the bench directed the authorities to probe the people funding and backing the protest. The court then adjourned the hearing till next Thursday (Nov 30).

Earlier, the two-judge bench comprising Justice Mushir Alam and Justice Qazi Faez Isa took notice of the sit-in on the request of a lawyer.

Justice Isa then observed that the protesters violated the Article 14, 15 and 19 of the country’s constitution, which related to fundamental right of citizens to freedom of movement.