- Authority’s review was scheduled for hearing on Thursday (today)
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) on Wednesday filed an application in the Supreme Court to withdraw its civil review petition against the Faizabad sit-in case.
Chairman PEMRA Muhammad Saleem Baig filed the application in the apex court through advocate Muhammad Sharif Janjua to seek permission for the withdrawal of a petition against the Faizabad sit-in case – one day before its hearing in the court.
The civil review petition by PEMRA against the controversial case was fixed for hearing on September 28, as per the final cause list.
The petitioner prayed to the court that the civil review petition filed on behalf of PEMRA may be withdrawn as the client did not want to pursue the matter anymore.
PEMRA’s move came a day after the Intelligence Bureau (IB) moved SC for the withdrawal of its review petition against the judgment delivered in the Faizabad sit-in case over four years ago, also stating that it did not want to pursue the case anymore.
IB’s withdrawal application came just two days before the hearing of the review petitions by a three-member bench led by Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa and comprising Justice Aminuddin Khan and Justice Athar Minallah.
At least eight review petitions were filed against the Faizabad Dharna case judgment on Feb 6, 2019.
Faizabad sit-in case
The TLP started its protest on Nov 8, 2017, and set up a camp at the Faizabad Interchange, contesting changes in the Elections Bill 2017 in which the word oath was changed to declaration. The protesters demanded the resignation of then law minister Zahid Hamid.
Hamid stepped down on Nov 27, 2017. The protests paralysed daily life in the twin cities for 20 days albeit without any violence. During that period, several rounds of bilateral talks with the government and protesters were held but all ended in failure.
On Nov 25, 2017, the police launched an operation using tear gas and water cannons to clear the area of the TLP protesters.
Later, a controversy erupted after leaked footage did rounds on social media showing a senior military official handing out money to the protesters.
On November 21, the Supreme Court initiated a suo motu case pertaining to the sit-in. On Nov 22, 2018, a two-judge bench consisting Justice Isa and Justice Mushir Alam reserved the ruling.
On Feb 6, 2019, the Supreme Court issued the 43-page judgment authored by Justice Isa.
