Key highlights

• Supporters of JUI-F enter Red Zone
• Government urges PDM chief to change sit-in venue
• SC set to resume hearing on ECP’s petition seeking review of Punjab polls order
• Government defends suspension of internet services
• Defence Minister Khawaja Asif calls for sending a reference to SJC
• Government decides to file reference against CJP Bandial over ‘misconduct’
• Protest ends ‘for now’

Maryam Nawaz told protestors in the PDM march on Monday that the country was under judicial martial law after the recent judgements by the Supreme Court. She also demanded that Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial resign and return all his perks and benefits.

“If you do not go home with civility, the nation will hold you accountable,” Maryam said.

“As long as you are in your seat, free and fair elections cannot take place,” she said. “Elections will happen on their due time, after you will be gone.”

“I want to ask Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial, are you happy to see this sea of people?” she said in a reference to the CJ’s remarks upon seeing Imran Khan in the court for a bail hearing.

Continually referring to Imran Khan as Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial’s ‘paltu’ (pet), she said that the responsibility for the current chaos in the currently lied less with Imran Khan and more with the chief justice.

She said that the court had sent elected prime ministers home, but had resorted to doctrine of necessity when dealing with martial laws in the country, just to stay in their seats.

“Has the doctrine of necessity ever benefited the common man?” she asked.

“In 75 years, our fortunes have not changed because of the ill intentions of some people in this building,” she said, while pointing to the Supreme Court.

“Why should we accept the minority 3-2 verdict instead of the majority 4-3 verdict,” she said, adding that Bandia’s own fellow judges had called him a ‘politician in robes’.

She referred to the CJP’s recent decisions as ‘Imrandari’ and said that he had caused divisions among the judges of the court.

Maryam also referred to the verdict in the election delay case and asked the chief justice why elections had not taken place despite his order.

She said that all of Imran Khan’s political tactics including the long march and jail-bharo tehreek had failed, but the chief justice had come to his aid. She said that Justice Asif Saeed Khosa had ‘aided’ Imran Khan the same way when lockdowns had failed in 2016.

“We have our reservations about establishment’s role in politics, Nawaz Sharif was the first to name General Bajwa and General Faiz in Gujranwala,” she said. “But we salute our sepoys and call the army ours.”

Maryam also echoed the ISPR’s statement to say that the protests and vandalism after Imran Khan’s arrest on May 9 had done something that not even Pakistan’s enemies had managed to do.

Speaking after Maryam, Fazl said he respected the court but only when it followed the law instead of protecting Imran Khan.

“The people of Pakistan will now decide what to do,” he said.

He then called announced that the protest would end, but they could back to Islamabad if needed.

The rally

Maryam Nawaz and Maulana Fazlur Rehman arrived in the Pakistan Democratic Movement’s protest outside the Supreme Court on Monday, after supporters managed to enter the Red Zone.

The supporters managed to enter in large numbers after a few workers climbed over the main gate. But so far the multi-party confab has not announced its decision to stage a sit-in.

Earlier, the government urged the head of the ruling coalition alliance to choose another site to protest against the Supreme Court which has decided in favour of Imran Khan. Islamabad is bracing for violence as the pro-government supporters head to the capital.

This protest is the latest in a series of break-neck developments on the political front which have brought the country to the brink. Last week, Imran Khan was arrested, protests broke out across the country and state and army property was set on fire. Imran Khan was ultimately granted bail and sent home to Lahore. In reaction, anti-PTI political parties said they would register their protest against the courts for deciding in his favour.

Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah said Sunday that he has asked Pakistan Democratic Movement chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman to change the venue of the sit-in protest, which is scheduled to take place outside the Supreme Court on Monday (today). The government has banned entry into the Red Zone in Islamabad.

The PDM is a coalition of several political parties and is in power as part of the government. It consists mainly of the JUI-F, PML-N, BNP, ANP. The PPP is not a member.

On the other hand, JUI is going to show its muscles in Islamabad today, obviously, the congregation of political workers of JUI, PMLN, PPP, ANP and other parties is not without purpose, it is under a well planned strategy. The massive strength of political workers in or near the red zone is meant to put pressure on the court. They will wait for the verdict and could spring into action if the apex court goes against the government.

The government has decided to file a reference against Chief Justice Umar Atta Bandial over “misconduct”. NA has approved the formation of a committee comprising Moshin Shahnawaz Ranjha, Khursheed Junior, Salahuddin Ayubi, Shehnaz Baloch & Salahuddin to prepare the reference.

What is happening in Pakistan

• PDM head Fazlur Rehman has planned a sit-in outside the SC today (Monday) after the top court ruled in favour of PTI chief Imran Khan on May 11.

• What is the PDM: The Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) is an opposition alliance in Pakistan that was formed in 2020. It is a coalition of several major political parties and factions that have joined forces to challenge the PTI.

• The PDM was established with the aim of ousting Imran Khan’s PTI government, which it accuses of alleged electoral rigging, economic mismanagement, and authoritarian tendencies. The alliance is Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), and other smaller parties representing different regions of the country.

• The Supreme Court declared Imran Khan’s May 9 arrest by the paramilitary forces in the Al-Qadir Trust case “unlawful”.

• JUI-F’s Fazl ur Rehman refused to budge after the PDM urged him to change the venue.

• The SC building lies in the Red Zone (a high-security area in the federal capital Islamabad).

• The protest comes on the day when the Supreme Court is expected to go back to hearing the Election Commission’s request to review its decision on elections in Punjab. The country’s election authority has asked the court to revise its April 4 ruling that ordered polls in Punjab on May 14.

• Opposition leader Imran Khan has claimed that the purpose of the protest was to pressure the chief justice of the Supreme Court so that a verdict is not given in line with what the Constitution says about elections.

• Imran Khan got blanket relief from the Islamabad High Court in multiple cases on May 11 after being arrested on May 9 in a corruption case.

• The government cried foul over the court’s “special treatment” for the former PM.

• Amidst this, the rupee dramatically bounced back a day after Imran Khan got bail.

• The currency gained over Rs10 in value after hitting a record low against the dollar. It now hovers at Rs285 to Rs286 in the inter-bank market.

Asif calls for sending a reference to SJC

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has said that a reference should be sent to the Supreme Judicial Council over the misconduct of the three-member judge that had issued the order for holding elections in Punjab on May 14.

“Time has come that Parliament asserts itself, we should exercise the rights which Parliament has given us,” said Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on the floor of the house on Monday.

“The law minister told me that a committee should be formed comprising MNAs. It should review the conduct of CJP and with the evidence of misconduct file a reference under Article 209 (Supreme Judicial Council) of the Constitution in order to set an example so that no one can violate the law,” said Asif.

“How can you expect justice from this 3-2 bench,” he said and described the three SC judges as “three musketeers”.

He reiterated that the time has come that the august house should speak “as much it can speak” and accused the judges of exceeding their powers.

“There is only one war and there is only one purpose and the focus is on it that Qazi Faez Isa does not become CJP in September. This is the only purpose,” Asif said. “The camaraderie’s of these judges they harassed a fellow judge and his family on whose order, on the orders of that establishment, what came out from that and on saying of Imran Khan, they should be ashamed. They don’t have any shame.”

JUI-F workers enter Red Zone

Protesters have entered the red zone, the Islamabad police said in a tweet. It claimed that the situation was peaceful.

Footage showed that JUI-F protesters entered the Red Zone after climbing over one of the central gate. A large number of workers entered the zone. The vehicle of the JUI-F has been parked just a short distance from the Supreme Court gate.

It merits here to mention that the government has imposed Section 144 in the federal capital. Aaj News correspondent said that local leadership of PPP and PML-N were addressing the workers. He confirmed that Maryam Nawaz and Maulana Fazlur Rehman were scheduled to address the supporters.

The police requested the people to remain peaceful and cooperate with the police.

“Protesters are requested to remain peaceful. There are fears of terrorism. The people are requested to stay away from gathering places,” said the police.

JUI-F seeks permission from Islamabad DC

The JUI-F has asked the Deputy Commissioner of Islamabad’s office permission to protest in front of the Supreme Court today (Monday).

“The PDM wants to hold a public gathering in front of the Supreme Court at D Chowk on Monday,” the petition, filed by Senators Kamran Murtaza and Mufti Abdullah, said. Security and other arrangements should be provided for this protest.“

The deputy commissioner of Islamabad said that the ruling collation parties have not yet been allowed to stage a sit-in in the Red Zone.

Meanwhile, PML-N, PPP, and JUI-F workers have started arriving in groups for the protest.

They have started gathering at the Serena Chowk and are barred from entering, the federal police said, adding that the entry of large vehicles in the red zone is prohibited, although they can go on foot, only employees and concerned people are allowed to enter.

Heavy contingents of police, FC, and Rangers are also present at the entry points. People are facing severe difficulties due to long queues of vehicles to enter the red zone.

The containers have also been moved near the Red Zone to prepare for the stage.

Fazl refuses to budge from sit-in venue

“Intelligence reports have revealed that there is an anger amongst the people that could lead to chaos,” Sanaullah said at a press conference in Islamabad alongside Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb.

The request came after a meeting between government ministers and Fazl ended without any conclusion, with the interior minister saying that the sit-in’s venue would be decided on Monday morning. But he said that security arrangements had been completed.

He added that he along with Finance Minister Ishaq Dar had approached Fazl after a discussion with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Fazl had earlier said that he would give an answer on whether he would change the protest venue by 10pm on Sunday. But they apparently failed to convince the PDM head to change the venue.

Sanaullah alleged that the chief justice had “weakened” his moral authority by declaring Imran Khan’s arrest “illegal” on Friday. The acquittal was part of the same chain as the “minority opinion” of three judges being imposed as the court’s decision in the election delay case, he claimed.

On Saturday, PDM chief Fazl announced a sit-in outside the Supreme Court after PTI Chairman Khan got “blanket relief” from courts in cases lodged against him, including the Al-Qadir Trust case.

“The judges are men made of flesh like us, not heavenly beings,” Fazl had said, alleging that the top court did not even consider Parliament supreme.

‘PTI planned attacks in advance’

At the press conference, Sanaullah accused the PTI of pre-planning the events of May 9 in advance. He vowed that anyone found engaged in the violent protests would be brought to justice.

“Even the objects used in the attacks were built in the same place,” he said.

“The targets had been advised in advance in case Khan got arrested,” he said, adding that all those responsible would be brought to justice.

The interior minister alleged that it was evidence of Khan’s culpability that he had not condemned the events of May 9 till now.

He mentioned that the only solution to the PTI was “banning it as a political identity” but added that this would be a “big decision”. He claimed that the PTI chief would be defeated in the polls.

“If Imran is not defeated by the power of the vote, he will destroy the country,” he said.

The Red Zone

The Red Zone consists of some high-profile buildings such as the Prime Minister’s House, the Supreme Court, the Parliament House, the Foreign Office, and others. Usually, Shahra Dastur is counted in the zone as some of the key places are linked or located on it.

However, at the time of PTI’s long march, the Red Zone was extended to Zero Point. Being a highly sensitive place, the F-5 sector was also declared a red zone.

However, after the PTI government was removed, the red zone was again extended when the protests increased. The Red Zone limits were extended to G7 and Zero Point.

The additional sectors included in the red zone include F7, G6, G7, and E7. Blue Area, PIMS, and Zero Point are now part of the Red Zone.

Earlier, the Red Zone was limited to F5 and G5 sectors, while the old Red Zone had the Parliament building, the Presidency, the Prime Minister’s House, and other government buildings.

Section 144 is currently enforced in the Red Zone. Under the rules, entry into the Red Zone is limited and demonstrations are not allowed in the area.