Former PM Shahid Khaqan Abbasi summoned in Faizabad sit-in probe

Islamabad: Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, the former Prime Minister, has been summoned in connection with the Faizabad sit-in case.

The commission investigating the Faizabad sit-in has called upon Shahid Khaqan Abbasi to appear on November 29. The sources further indicated that the commission intended to record the statement of the former prime minister during the proceedings.

The federal government established the inquiry commission, chaired by retired Inspector General Akhtar Ali Shah, following the Supreme Court's rejection of the fact-finding committee report.

Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa had previously emphasized the commission's authority to summon any individual for investigation during the hearing of review pleas against the SC's judgment in the Faizabad sit-in case.

The Faizabad sit-in, organized by Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) on November 8, 2017, protested against amendments in the Election Bill 2017, specifically changes to the wording from "oath" to "declaration." The demonstrators called for the resignation of Minister for Law and Justice Zahid Hamid to safeguard the country's identity.

The protests concluded on November 27, 2017, after Pakistani law minister Zahid Hamid stepped down, bringing an end to the 20-day-long demonstrations without any major incidents.