“Deaths in PTI protest”: Suo motu notice plea denied by Supreme Court

The constitutional bench of the Supreme Court denied a request to take suo motu notice of deaths that were alleged by supporters of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) during recent violent protests.

The request was presented at a hearing on Monday by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s (KP) Additional Advocate General.

Speaking via video link in a different case involving the Climate Change Authority, the KP attorney pleaded with the five-member constitutional bench to step in. “Yesterday, both sides suffered fatalities. According to the Additional Advocate General, the court ought to take notice of these instances on its own initiative.

Judge Musarat Hilali led the bench, which forcefully rejected the plea, highlighting the court’s attention to the current issue. Justice Hilali said, “Avoid discussing politics when you’re appearing before the Supreme Court.”

In addition, Justice Aminuddin explained the court’s position by saying, “This matter is not before us; we cannot see it.” “We don’t want to discuss matters that are not under our consideration,” said Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhel, echoing similar opinion.

The bench’s ruling demonstrates the judiciary’s reluctance to become involved in politically contentious matters that are outside of its own jurisdiction. Due to this rejection, the judicial level has yet to address the problem of deaths during PTI protests.

The Supreme Court’s position has generated conflicting opinions; some legal scholars support judicial supervision of the issue, while others applaud the court for staying focused on its goals.