Islamabad (Staff Report): Islamabad High Court (IHC) judge Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui on Monday expressed his displeasure over the inaction and arbitration by the army on the protesters.
Resuming the hearing of a case regarding the amendment in a clause of Election Act 2017, the judge grilled Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal regarding the agreement signed with religious groups after summoning him on a 15-minutes notice.
Commenting on the army’s role in the case, Justice Siddiqui said it was unconstitutional for an army official to play the role of a third party in negotiations with protesters. “Is Gen Qamar Jawed Bajwa above the law and constitution?” he questioned.
‘Where is their Radd-ul-Fasaad now? Did they not see any Fasaad (anarchy) in this protest?’ Justice Siddiqui asked. The judge remarked that this was proof of the ‘military’s involvement’.
‘Who is the Army to adopt a mediator’s role?’ inquired the judge.
The Islamabad High Court judge went a mile more and observed that the Army officers who were fond of indulging in politics should relinquish their position and practically join politics.
