Title: “PDM Calls off Islamabad Sit-in After Protesting Judiciary’s Alleged Support for PTI Chief”
Islamabad, May 15, 2023 – The ruling Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) announced the conclusion of their day-long sit-in outside the Supreme Court in Islamabad, protesting against what they claimed was the judiciary’s support for Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan. The decision to end the demonstration was declared by PDM President Maulana Fazlur Rehman, who is also the chief of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F), during his address to a large gathering of participants at the sit-in.
The protest, organized by the multi-party PDM alliance and joined by workers and supporters of JUI-F from various parts of the country, witnessed a significant influx of demonstrators into the Red Zone, despite Section 144 still being in effect in the capital city. The sit-in was initially planned to challenge Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial for allegedly facilitating Imran Khan.
Despite the federal government’s request to relocate the sit-in due to security concerns, PDM chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman remained resolute in his decision and rallied thousands of workers outside the Supreme Court.
At 8:11 PM, Maulana Fazlur Rehman expressed the PDM’s intention to restore the honor and dignity of the top court, emphasizing that the massive gathering outside the Supreme Court symbolized the people’s role in decision-making. He pledged to protect the Supreme Court building, asserting that no harm would come to it in the presence of PDM’s protesters. Maulana Fazlur Rehman also held PTI chief Imran Khan responsible for the prevailing crisis in the country, citing his decision to dissolve the Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa assemblies.
Maryam Nawaz, addressing the protesters at 6:35 PM, stated that the PDM did not initially intend to stage a sit-in outside the Supreme Court, as they respected the Constitution and judges. However, she emphasized that the country’s progress and destruction were intricately linked to the decisions of the judiciary. Maryam clarified that her criticism was directed not at the judges themselves but at those elements within the apex court allegedly facilitating Imran Khan. She challenged Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial, asking whether he was pleased to witness the large gathering of people. Maryam also called on the judiciary to hold accountable those responsible for spreading chaos and anarchy in the country, referring to the recent violent protests following Imran Khan’s arrest. She criticized the judiciary for its past actions in removing elected prime ministers and undermining the supremacy of parliament. Maryam asserted that both Imran Khan and the Chief Justice shared responsibility for the current state of anarchy in the country.
Throughout the day, the sit-in witnessed intermittent developments, including the Pakistan People’s Party leader Nisar Khoro joining the protest, with PDM leaders Maulana Fazlur Rehman and Maryam Nawaz standing on the stage alongside the gathered demonstrators.
The district administration, while acknowledging the entry of protesters into the Red Zone, informed them of the government’s orders. The situation was reported to the interior ministry for their approval. The police urged citizens to avoid the red zone area, assuring that the situation remained peaceful.
As the PDM sit-in concluded, the nation reflects on the implications of the protest and the ongoing tensions between political factions, while concerns are raised about the influence of judiciary in political matters and the preservation of constitutional norms and institutions.