SC takes notice of religious parties’ sit-in at Faizabad

SC takes notice of religious parties’ sit-in at Faizabad

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court of Pakistan has on Tuesday taken notice of religious parties’ sit-in at Faizabad Interchange.

The court has issued notices to Secretary Interior and Secretary Defense as well as Islamabad Inspector General of Police and Punjab.

The apex court has sought report on Thursday as to what measures have been taken to safeguard rights of citizens.

On the other hand, hundreds of activists of religious parties’ have continue to stage sit-in at Faizabad on 16th day as a deadlock in the negotiations with the government continues to persist.

Religious groups are staging over two-week-long protest at Faizabad Interchange, the main entry point of the capital city. Despite talks between the two sides for the second consecutive day at Punjab House, a deadlock persists between the authorities and protesters over the Faizabad blockade.

On Monday, the government and the representatives of Tehreek-e-Labbaik agreed on Monday to form a new committee headed by Pir Haseen ud Deen Shah to end the siege of the federal capital.

The roughly 2,000 protesters from the Tehreek-e-Labaik Ya Rasool Allah (SAW) have blocked a main highway used by thousands of commuters since November 6, causing hours-long traffic snarls.

The government insisted on negotiating with the demonstrators even after the court issued an order for the roads to be cleared by last Saturday. “This is a very serious situation,” a written statement from the court said Monday. It blasted the lack of progress as “beyond comprehension” and said the suffering of citizens had reached its limit.

The protesters are demanding the resignation of federal law minister Zahid Hamid over a hastily-abandoned amendment to the oath election candidates must swear.