Faizabad Sit-in
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif, scheduled to appear before the Faizabad sit-in inquiry commission, chose an unconventional path by failing to attend the hearing in person. Instead, he requested the commission to provide a questionnaire pertaining to the ongoing investigation. Sources indicate that the former prime minister has been sent a comprehensive 21-point questionnaire, to which he is expected to respond within a specified time-frame.
The inquiry commission, tasked with delving into the events surrounding the Faizabad sit-in, had initially summoned Shehbaz Sharif to offer his statement in the case on January 3. This summons was prompted by his role as the chief minister of Punjab during the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan’s sit-in protest in 2017.
Concurrently, former Director of Inter-Services Intelligence Lieutenant General (retd) Faiz Hamid has been summoned multiple times by the inquiry commission, but he has yet to respond to the summons. In light of his non-compliance, the commission is considering recording Faiz’s statement through a video link.
The Faizabad sit-in inquiry is expected to conclude its investigation and submit the inquiry report by January 22, 2024. This inquiry was initiated in November of the preceding year, following the formation of the inquiry commission by the caretaker federal government. The commission was established in response to the Supreme Court’s 2019 Faizabad verdict, rejecting the fact-finding committee report put forth by the government.
The court-mandated inquiry holds significant weight, allowing the commission to summon influential figures, including former army chiefs, prime ministers, and chief justices. It aims to unravel the intricacies of the Faizabad sit-in, a three-week-long protest that arose in November 2017 against changes in the finality-of-Prophethood oath during the passage of the Elections Act 2017.
The subsequent 2019 verdict emphasized citizens’ right to assemble and protest, underscoring the importance of peaceful demonstrations adhering to the law while respecting the fundamental rights of others. The disposed suo moto case reinforced the need to maintain public order while safeguarding citizens’ rights during such events.
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