ISLAMABAD: Federal Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan on Monday directed local administration and law enforcement agencies to ensure implementation of the Supreme Court’s directives for vacating Constitution Avenue from demonstrators and be prepared to meet any emergency situation.
He made it clear that the decision of the apex court would be implemented in true letter and spirit.
The decision was made at an emergency meeting of Islamabad and Rawalpindi administration called to discuss possible outcomes of the Supreme Court orders regarding vacation of Constitution Avenue by the participants of ‘Azadi’ and ‘Inquilab’ marchers.
The top court of Pakistan ruled earlier today that protesters of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) and Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) are hindering people’s right to free movement on Constitution Avenue and access to the court.
A five-member SC bench led by Chief Justice Nasirul Mulk told the attorney general and lawyers representing both parties to work out modalities to ensure free movement of people in the area by Tuesday.
On Tuesday we want to be able to come to the Supreme Court through Constitution Avenue, TV channels earlier quoted the bench as saying.
Protesters belonging to Imran Khan's PTI and Dr Tahirul Qadri's PAT, camped out in the federal capital's Red Zone for almost a week, have been carrying out a protest sit-in against the government and alleged rigging in the 2013 general elections. Both sides have refused to leave before Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s resignation.
Chaudhry Nisar expressed hope that the issues would be settled peacefully very soon, saying the ongoing negotiations with protesters were heading in the positive direction.
The meeting also discussed possible new avenues for participants of the both sit-ins and the overall security arrangements for the federal capital.
The minister said that writ of the state is established through law enforcing forces and if it is not properly established, then peace in a society becomes a distant dream.