Faizabad sit-in verdict: SC says anyone whose fatwas harms others must be prosecuted

The Supreme Court (SC) announced on Wednesday its verdict in case regarding the 2017 sit-in and protest at Islamabad Faizabad Interchange.

Judge Mushir Alam and Judge Qazi Faez Isa resumed the hearing today and announced that they will upload the complete verdict on the Supreme Court's website. In its verdict, the SC has said that every citizen and political party has the right to protest provided that they do not obstruct people’s right to use roads and destroy property. Those who do not demonstrate and destroy property  must be dealt in accordance with the law.

The written verdict also states that the person issuing an edict or fatwa, which harms another or puts another in harm’s way, 'must be criminally prosecuted under the Pakistan Penal Code, the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997 or the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, 2016'.

The SC has also directed the police and other law enforcement agencies to develop standard plans and procedure to handle rallies, protests and dharnas. The tops court has directed the concerned authorities to tackle protest with every effort to avoid causing injury and loss of life.

People suffer for 8th day due to protest at Faizabad Interchange

The top court further stated in the verdict that Inter-Services Intelligence, the Intelligence Bureau, Military Intelligence and the Inter-Services Public Relations must not exceed their respective mandates. "All intelligence agencies  do not have the authority to interfere with broadcasts and publications, in the management of broadcasters/publishers and in the distribution of newspapers."

The top court has directed the Federal and provincial governments to monitor those advocating hate, extremism, terrorism and prosecute the perpetrators in accordance with the law.

In November 2017, political parties including Tehreek-i-Labaik Ya Rasool Allah (TLY) protested and held a sit-in for nearly three weeks at Islamabad’s Faizabad Interchange. They were protesting against a reversed change in the Khatm-i-Nabuwwat oath in the Elections Act 2017. The protesters demanded the resignation of then Federal Law Minister Zahid Hamid.

The leaders of the dharna hurled threats, abused, provoked and promoted hatred in their demonstration. Islamabad police, in order to disperse the huge number of protesters, with the help of Frontier Corps personnel and Rangers, launched an operation and used tear gas shells and rubber bullets.

In retaliation, the protesters resorted to throwing stones at the security forces. Several people were injured while at least six people were killed during the clash. The religious parties ended the protest after one of their terms was met by the then government of Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz and Hamid tendered his resignation.