SCBA criticises govt for blocking highways, motorways ahead of PTI's protest

The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) on Saturday criticised the government for blocking highways and motorways ahead of the November 24 protest of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

In a press release issued on Saturday, SCBA President Mian Muhammad Rauf Atta said that every citizen has the right to freedom of movement, but the federal capital has been seized and main highways and motorways have been closed. He said that walls of containers have been built around Islamabad, but democratic societies don’t work in this manner. “Protection of people’s lives is the first duty of the administration. Closure of roads and highways is not the solution to the problem therefore all roads should be opened immediately and siege to cities should be ended,” he said. 

On the other hand, Atta condemned the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) without mentioning its name for marching on Islamabad. He said that taking control of the federal capital for accomplishment of their so-called political agenda is not a service to the country. He said that rallies and protests are causing the country financial losses. He said that Article 16 of the Constitution allows protests, but it cannot be used to achieve political goals. He said the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government is supporting protests and rallies. 

The SCBA chief said that terrorists carried out attacks inside Khyber Pakhtunkhwa just a day ago therefore the PTI should review its decision regarding the protests keeping in view the overall law and order situation in the country. He said that all stakeholders should sort out their issues through negotiations so that nation’s time and resources can be saved. He said the SCBA would continue to work for rule of law and supremacy of the constitution in Pakistan.