In pictures: Glimpses of PDM’s day-long protest outside Supreme Court in Islamabad

The capital saw yet another protest today, this time staged by parties of the ruling coalition.
Published May 16, 2023

Islamabad’s Constitution Avenue turned a vivid mustard on Monday, contrasting against the white facade of the Supreme Court’s building. Similarly, contrasting against the blue of the sky were vibrant placards and banners, as well as black and white flags.

The capital was seeing yet another protest, this time staged by the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) — a multi-party alliance part of the ruling coalition led by Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman — which also explains the colours today on the capital’s all-important street; mustard is the colour of uniforms donned by members of the JUI-F’s sub-organisation Ansarul Islam and the party’s flag features black and white stripes.

The call for the demonstration was given by Fazl last week after PTI chairman Imran Khan got blanket relief from courts in various cases.

Today, the JUI-F chief, as well as other PDM leaders, notably PML-N’s Maryam Nawaz, delivered fiery addresses castigating PTI and SC judges, particularly Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial.

PDM supporters barged into the Red Zone earlier today and managed to lodge their protest outside the top court. After the day-long demonstration, Fazl called off the sit-in, saying that he would return to Islamabad “if the need arises”.

Here are a few glimpses of activities at the Constitution Avenue outside the SC today.

Activists of Jamiat-ul-Ulama-i-Islam chant slogans as they participate in a rally held in Islamabad. — AFP
Activists of Jamiat-ul-Ulama-i-Islam chant slogans as they participate in a rally held in Islamabad. — AFP

Supporters of parties from Pakistan’s ruling alliance gather near the Supreme Court in Islamabad today to protest against the judiciary’s alleged undue facilitation of PTI chief Imran Khan. — AFP
Supporters of parties from Pakistan’s ruling alliance gather near the Supreme Court in Islamabad today to protest against the judiciary’s alleged undue facilitation of PTI chief Imran Khan. — AFP

Activists of JUI-F chant slogans as they participate in a rally held in Islamabad. — AFP
Activists of JUI-F chant slogans as they participate in a rally held in Islamabad. — AFP

Activists of JUI-F march as they participate in a rally held in Islamabad. — AFP
Activists of JUI-F march as they participate in a rally held in Islamabad. — AFP

Supporters of PDM walk as they gather in front of the SC to protest against the granting of bail in several cases against the PTI chief in Islamabad. — Reuters
Supporters of PDM walk as they gather in front of the SC to protest against the granting of bail in several cases against the PTI chief in Islamabad. — Reuters

Supporters of parties from Pakistan’s ruling alliance gather near the Supreme Court in Islamabad to protest against the judiciary’s alleged undue facilitation of the PTI chief. — AFP
Supporters of parties from Pakistan’s ruling alliance gather near the Supreme Court in Islamabad to protest against the judiciary’s alleged undue facilitation of the PTI chief. — AFP

Supporters of parties from Pakistan’s ruling alliance gather near the Supreme Court in Islamabad to protest against the judiciary’s alleged undue facilitation of Imran Khan. — AFP
Supporters of parties from Pakistan’s ruling alliance gather near the Supreme Court in Islamabad to protest against the judiciary’s alleged undue facilitation of Imran Khan. — AFP

Supporters of parties from Pakistan’s ruling alliance gather near the Supreme Court in Islamabad to protest against the judiciary’s alleged undue facilitation of Imran Khan. — AFP
Supporters of parties from Pakistan’s ruling alliance gather near the Supreme Court in Islamabad to protest against the judiciary’s alleged undue facilitation of Imran Khan. — AFP

Security personnel stand guard as the supporters of parties from Pakistan’s ruling alliance gather near the Supreme Court in Islamabad to protest against the judiciary’s alleged undue facilitation of former prime minister Imran Khan. — AFP
Security personnel stand guard as the supporters of parties from Pakistan’s ruling alliance gather near the Supreme Court in Islamabad to protest against the judiciary’s alleged undue facilitation of former prime minister Imran Khan. — AFP

Supporters of parties from Pakistan’s ruling alliance gather near the Supreme Court in Islamabad to protest against the judiciary’s alleged undue facilitation of Imran Khan. —AFP
Supporters of parties from Pakistan’s ruling alliance gather near the Supreme Court in Islamabad to protest against the judiciary’s alleged undue facilitation of Imran Khan. —AFP

Supporters of parties from Pakistan’s ruling alliance hold placards and flags as they gather near the Supreme Court in Islamabad to protest against the judiciary’s alleged undue facilitation of PTI chief Imran Khan. — AFP
Supporters of parties from Pakistan’s ruling alliance hold placards and flags as they gather near the Supreme Court in Islamabad to protest against the judiciary’s alleged undue facilitation of PTI chief Imran Khan. — AFP

Supporters of parties from Pakistan’s ruling alliance gather near the Supreme Court in Islamabad to protest against the judiciary’s alleged undue facilitation of PTI chief Imran Khan. — AFP
Supporters of parties from Pakistan’s ruling alliance gather near the Supreme Court in Islamabad to protest against the judiciary’s alleged undue facilitation of PTI chief Imran Khan. — AFP


Header image: Supporters of parties from Pakistan’s ruling alliance hold placards and flags as they gather near the Supreme Court in Islamabad on May 15. —AFP