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ISLAMABAD:
The Supreme Court will hear a contempt petition, filed by the federal government, against former prime minister Imran Khan following his party’s violation of apex court orders.
The apex court had issued clear instructions to hold its Azadi March protest near Peshawar Mor between the H-9 and G-9 areas of Islamabad. However, Imran and his protestors did make their way toward D-Chowk, prompting the government to call in the Pakistan Army for the security of the capital’s Red Zone.
The apex court has created a five-member larger bench to hear the petition at 11:30 am on Thursday.
The petition, moved by the incumbent federal government through the Attorney General of Pakistan Ashtar Ausaf, stated that despite “clear directions” by the SC, Imran Khan had “directed his party members to march on Islamabad and directed them to reach D-Chowk”.
It maintained that following the apex court’s proceedings, security arrangements were relaxed and movement was allowed, however, PTI members took advantage of the changed security measures and “started destroying state properties including vehicles”.
According to the petition, fire fighting vehicles valued at Rs30-50 million had been destroyed by PTI workers and trees had been set on fire.
“The PTI workers are seen armed with automatic weapons. One former minister is also seen as intimidating police personnel,” it stated.
The petition said that if the situation was not averted immediately, it could escalate into “an irretrievable and irreparable situation”.
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“The PTI leadership has violated the directions of the Court and their march on the state capital and provincial metropolitans is likely to inflame the already polarized and charged atmosphere”.
PHOTO: EXPRESS
A change in the government’s strategy was witnessed soon after the Supreme Court ordered the government to allow PTI to organise their long march at a ground between H-9 and G-9 areas of the federal capital.
Read more Imran joins long march as PTI workers clash with police on streets
Though the representatives of the PTI had assured the apex court that no damage would take place to any property during the rally, the scenes at Blue Area not just contradicted it but were horrifying as trees, greenbelt areas, and public property was set on fire.
Later in the evening, in a video message tweeted by the party, Imran urged the nation to take to the streets wherever they were and said people heading to Islamabad must reach D-Chowk – despite the apex court’s orders delegating where the PTI could hold their long march.
“I will make it there in a couple of hours,” the PTI chairperson had tweeted.