CJP Isa expresses displeasure over fact-finding commission's report in Faizabad sit-in case

Islamabad: Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa Monday expressed his displeasure with the report submitted by an inquiry commission constituted to investigate the Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakis­tan’s (TLP) 2017 Faizabad sit-in.

The chief justice remarked that had the decision on the Faizabad sit-in been implemented, the May 9 riots would not have happened.

The top judge further remarked that the commission wasn’t even aware of its responsibility. A three-member Supreme Court bench took up a set of review petitions filed against the SC’s 2019 judgement in the Faizabad sit-in case.

The bench headed by Justice Isa and comprising Justice Irfan Saadat Khan and Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan presided over the hearing today, which was broadcast live on the Supreme Court website and YouTube channel.

At the outset of the hearing, the CJP inquired whether the Attorney General of Pakistan (AGP) had seen the report submitted by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP). The AGP  replied in the negative.

The CJ then directed the AGP to review the ECP report and gave a break in the hearing. Justice Isa expressed his resentment over the report. The attorney general recalled that Gen (rtd) Faiz Hameed had told the commission that it was not the Inter-Services Intelligence’s (ISI) responsibility to look into the financial support of terrorists.

“If it’s not their responsibility then whose responsibility is it?” Justice Isa retorted. He questioned what kind of report the commission had made and inquired where the rest of its members were.