ISLAMABAD - Although the government has struck a secret agreement with the banned Tehreek-e-Labaik Pakistan (TLP) to end the ongoing protest and long march, yet legal experts are of the opinion that a writ petition could be filed before any court of law to obtain the details of this deal.
Talking to The Nation here on Sunday, Abid Saqi Advocate, former vice chairman of Pakistan Bar Council (PBC), termed the agreement a “face-saving” for both the parties.
Commenting on the secrecy of the agreement details, he was of the opinion that anyone can file a writ petition to know the details of the agreement struck between the government and the TLP. However, he added at the same time that in his opinion, it is not an issue which requires court adjudication.
Former secretary Islamabad High Court Bar Association (IHCBA) Malik Waqas Advocate said that in such matters, there should be no “under-carpet” agreement and urged the government to make public the details of the deal and tell the public that how it would ensure safety of people’s life and assets in future.
He was also of the view that a writ petition could be filed in this matter to know that what steps have been taken by the government to secure people’s life and property.
Member Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) Muhammad Masood Chishti commented there should be no secret and people should know that what government has finalized with the protestors and what conditions have been finalized.
He also said that where the government’s writ was when the protestors were damaging the assets of people and government. He added that in future, someone would also come and start protesting and people have to face the damage.
Another member of PBC Syed Amjad Shah Adovcate said that a petition can be filed in this matter but the court would also look into the locus standi of the petitioner while deciding the maintainability of the petition.
He continued that every citizen can file a petition in matters related to national interests. However, he said that this agreement is only between the government and a party and in this regard, only a member of TLP can file a petition.