IHC lashes out at Army's role 'as mediator' in government's agreement with protesters
The Islamabad High Court on Monday lashed out at the government as well as the Army for the role assigned to the military "as the mediator" in the agreement to end the sit-in at Islamabad's Faizabad Interchange.
The Army chief instead of following the orders of the chief executive became a mediator, pointed out Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui.
Security forces had launched an operation against protesters camped out at the Faizabad Interchange on Saturday after the high court had ordered the clearance of the bridge that connects the federal capital with Rawalpindi. The same day, Chief of Army Staff Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa had advised Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi to "handle the Islamabad dharna peacefully".
The day-long operation had culminated with the government seeking the military's assistance to disperse the participants who had put up fierce resistance to the security personnel's action.
ARTICLE CONTINUES AFTER AD
However, the Army had said in its response to the government's call for assistance that while it was "fully ready" to take action, a "few points need deliberation". Subsequently, no troops were deployed in the city.
"Where is their Radd-ul-Fasaad now? Did they not see any Fasaad (anarchy) in this protest?" Justice Siddiqui asked as a hearing into the Faizabad protest was underway at the high court on Monday. The judge was referring to a military operation that was launched in February.
The judge remarked that this was proof of the 'military's involvement'.
"Who is the Army to adopt a mediator's role?" inquired the judge. "Where does the law assign this role to a major general?"
Soldiers who are inclined towards politics should turn in their weapons, Justice Siddiqui said, asking if the protests would have continued as they did if the Army's headquarters had been located near the Faizabad Interchange.
Read more https://www.dawn.com/news/1373184/i...ator-in-governments-agreement-with-protesters
The Islamabad High Court on Monday lashed out at the government as well as the Army for the role assigned to the military "as the mediator" in the agreement to end the sit-in at Islamabad's Faizabad Interchange.
The Army chief instead of following the orders of the chief executive became a mediator, pointed out Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui.
Security forces had launched an operation against protesters camped out at the Faizabad Interchange on Saturday after the high court had ordered the clearance of the bridge that connects the federal capital with Rawalpindi. The same day, Chief of Army Staff Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa had advised Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi to "handle the Islamabad dharna peacefully".
The day-long operation had culminated with the government seeking the military's assistance to disperse the participants who had put up fierce resistance to the security personnel's action.
ARTICLE CONTINUES AFTER AD
However, the Army had said in its response to the government's call for assistance that while it was "fully ready" to take action, a "few points need deliberation". Subsequently, no troops were deployed in the city.
"Where is their Radd-ul-Fasaad now? Did they not see any Fasaad (anarchy) in this protest?" Justice Siddiqui asked as a hearing into the Faizabad protest was underway at the high court on Monday. The judge was referring to a military operation that was launched in February.
The judge remarked that this was proof of the 'military's involvement'.
"Who is the Army to adopt a mediator's role?" inquired the judge. "Where does the law assign this role to a major general?"
Soldiers who are inclined towards politics should turn in their weapons, Justice Siddiqui said, asking if the protests would have continued as they did if the Army's headquarters had been located near the Faizabad Interchange.
Read more https://www.dawn.com/news/1373184/i...ator-in-governments-agreement-with-protesters
astaghfirullah how dare he asked questions to Army.
