Islamabad: The opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) called off its November 2 plan to storm and lock down Islamabad, as the country’s Supreme Court decided to form a commission to probe the Panama Papers leaks.
Both the government and the PTI leader Imran Khan welcomed the decision made by a five-judge bench headed by Pakistan’s Chief Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali.
The decision paved the way for an end to days of unrest during which police sealed the capital, used tear gas, batons and rubber bullets to keep away PTI workers and hundreds were reportedly arrested in Islamabad and at difference places in Punjab province.
The top court asked the parties in the Panama Papers case to submit by Thursday their terms of reference (Tors) for a probe commission to be led by a Supreme Court judge.
In the event the parties do not reach a consensus on Tors, the court itself will itself decide the terms, the bench decided.
Last month the bench had taken up five petitions seeking investigation into alleged investments in offshore companies by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his close family members.
The petitions had been filed by PTI, Jamaat-e-Islami and others.
The bench said the probe commission will hold powers equal to that of the top court and it will report to the Supreme Court.
Chief Justice Jamali asked the parties to “show restraint and observed that “we have to save the country from unrest and crises”.
“We are very happy at the Supreme Court decision and call off our Islamabad lockdown plan,” said Imran Khan, addressing party workers who have been camping outside his Bani Gala residence in the capital’s suburb.
He spoke as the Lahore High Court of Punjab province ruled against PTI-planned lockdown and at the same time directed authorities — to lift blockades of roads and not to restrict free movement of people.
Announcing that the party will observe a thanksgiving day on Wednesday by holding a big rally at the permitted site in Islamabad.
“Now that the process to hold Sharifs to account has begun, return to your homes for rest and come to attend the Islamabad rally tomorrow with your families,” Khan said.
Speaking to reporters outside the Supreme Court, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said, “Now the judiciary has taken up the matter, there is no logic in agitation on the streets.”
“Both the accused and accuser are standing before court so I think the nation should be given relief from the agony of this protest.”
Railways Minister Saad Rafique addressing Imran Khan said, “Do us a favour and don’t put your workers in testing times.”
There have been daily clashes between police and supporters of the cricketer-turned-politician in the lead-up to Wednesday, while the government has cracked down on workers of his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party.
Authorities have arrested scores of party supporters and shut a major motorway leading from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, Khan’s political heartland. After the Supreme Court decision, officials said the highway barriers would be cleared.
Authorities said they wanted to prevent a repeat of Khan’s protests in 2014 that paralysed the city’s government quarter after he rejected Sharif’s election win a year earlier.
Party officials said two supporters died after clashing with police blocking their route to Islamabad.
